Conclusions Fibrates have a significantly greater effect in reducing plasma Lp(a ) concentrations than statins .
Addition of fibrates to statins can enhance the Lp(a)-lowering effect of statins
Background Raised plasma lipoprotein(a ) ( Lp(a ) ) concentration is an independent and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease .
Several types of pharmacological approaches are under evaluation for their potential to reduce plasma Lp(a ) levels .
There is suggestive evidence that statins and fibrates , two frequently employed lipid-lowering drugs , can lower plasma Lp(a ) .
The present study aims to compare the efficacy of fibrates and statins in reducing plasma concentrations of Lp(a ) using a meta- analysis of r and omized head-to-head trials .
[Gemfibrozil reduces elevated lipoprotein (a) levels in hypercholesterolemic patients].
PURPOSE To compare the effects of gemfibrozil and lovastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia and increased lipoprotein(a ) [ Lp(a ) ] levels .  METHODS Twenty-seven subjects with total cholesterol ( TC ) > 240 mg/dL , LDL-C > 160 mg/dL and Lp(a ) > 25 mg/dL were studied . Patients were r and omized to receive gemfibrozil 1200 mg/day , ( n = 14 , 54 + /- 7 years ) or lovastatin 40 - 80 mg at night ( n = 13 , 55 + /- 9 years ) for 12 weeks . Lipid profile and Lp(a ) were determined at 4 and 12 weeks of treatment . RESULTS Gemfibrozil reduced TC ( -21 % ) , LDL-C ( -26 % ) , triglycerides (TG)(-48 % ) and Lp(a ) ( -25 % ) , increased HDL-C (+48%)(p < 0.001 ) . Lovastatin reduced TC ( -29 % ) , LDL-C ( -37 % ) and TG ( -25 % ) ( p < 0.001 ) however , it did not affect Lp(a ) . CONCLUSION Besides reducing plasma LDL-C , TG and increasing HDL-C , gemfibrozil effectively lowers Lp(a ) levels .  Lovastatin did not affect Lp(a ) levels
Conclusions Fibrates have a significantly greater effect in reducing plasma Lp(a ) concentrations than statins .
Addition of fibrates to statins can enhance the Lp(a)-lowering effect of statins
Background Raised plasma lipoprotein(a ) ( Lp(a ) ) concentration is an independent and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease .
Several types of pharmacological approaches are under evaluation for their potential to reduce plasma Lp(a ) levels .
There is suggestive evidence that statins and fibrates , two frequently employed lipid-lowering drugs , can lower plasma Lp(a ) .
The present study aims to compare the efficacy of fibrates and statins in reducing plasma concentrations of Lp(a ) using a meta- analysis of r and omized head-to-head trials .