Ezetimibe combined with simvastatin compared with simvastatin alone results in a greater suppression of oxidative stress and enhanced fibrinolysis in patients after acute coronary events

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2011 Aug;58(2):167-72. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0b013e31821e8cb2.

Abstract

We compared the effect of simvastatin versus simvastatin combined with ezetimibe on hemostasis and inflammation after acute coronary events [acute coronary syndromes (ACS)]. In an investigator-initiated, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, patients with ACS were assigned to 40 mg/d of simvastatin + 10 mg/d of ezetimibe (n = 26) or 40 mg/d of simvastatin + placebo (n = 28) administered for 2 months. Markers of coagulation (prothrombin fragments 1.2, thrombin-antithrombin complexes, free tissue factor pathway inhibitor), fibrinolysis [plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, clot lysis time (CLT)], platelet activation (soluble CD40 ligand, β-thromboglobulin, thromboxane B2), oxidative stress [8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α)], and inflammation (interleukin-6, interleukin-18, and interleukin-1β) were measured within the first 12 hours of ACS and at 1 and 2 months of therapy. A final analysis comprised 20 patients in the simvastatin + ezetimibe group and 26 patients in the simvastatin + placebo group. Both groups were similar with regard to demographics, risk factors, medications, and routine laboratory results. Inflammatory, coagulation, and platelet markers did not differ between both treatment groups at all time points. Reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, CLT, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and 8-iso-PGF2α were significantly greater (by 10%, 8.7%, 17.5%, and 22.4%) in the simvastatin + ezetimibe group after 1 month, with further decreases in CLT and 8-iso-PGF2α at 2 months (all P < 0.05). These changes were not associated with lipid and inflammatory parameters. In conclusion, compared with simvastatin alone, simvastatin + ezetimibe results in a greater suppression of oxidative stress and enhanced fibrinolysis in patients with ACS, indicating that ezetimibe might exert cholesterol-independent actions in humans (NCT00725829).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / blood
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / immunology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Azetidines / administration & dosage
  • Azetidines / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Ezetimibe
  • Female
  • Fibrinolysis / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Simvastatin / administration & dosage
  • Simvastatin / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Azetidines
  • Lipids
  • Simvastatin
  • Ezetimibe

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00725829