Gemfibrozil prevents major coronary events by increasing HDL-cholesterol and more

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2001 Jul;2(7):1187-9. doi: 10.1517/14656566.2.7.1187.

Abstract

A low concentration of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Gemfibrozil reduces the number of CHD events by 22% in 5 years. This marked beneficial effect can only partly be explained by the ability of gemfibrozil to increase HDL-cholesterol. Recently gemfibrozil has been shown to activate peroxisome proliferator-activated nuclear receptors. This activation leads to the increase in HDL-cholesterol and to a decrease in vascular wall inflammation and other changes in vascular function. These vascular effects of gemfibrozil may contribute to the beneficial effects in CHD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Coronary Disease / blood
  • Coronary Disease / prevention & control*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Gemfibrozil / chemistry
  • Gemfibrozil / pharmacology
  • Gemfibrozil / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / drug effects
  • Transcription Factors / drug effects

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Transcription Factors
  • Gemfibrozil