Comparative study of high-dose Xuezhikang and low-dose Xuezhikang plus ezetimibe on pro- and anti-inflammatory markers

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of two different therapeutic regimes that may obtain equivalent LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction (2400 mg of Xuezhikang [XZK] per day and coadministration of 600 mg of XZK plus 10 mg of ezetimibe [EZT] per day) on plasma levels of inflammatory markers in patients with dyslipidemia. Methods: A total of 46 patients with dyslipidemia were studied and were randomly divided into the two groups: group A (2400 mg XZK per day; n = 23) and group B (600 mg XZK/10 mg EZT per day; n = 23) for 6 weeks. The plasma levels of IL-6, IL-10 and CRP were analyzed at both baseline and 6 weeks. Results: Both therapy regimes resulted in similar reductions of LDL-C (p > 0.05). Compared with baseline, both treatments significantly increased plasma IL-10 and decreased IL-6, as well as CRP levels (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), while no difference was found between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: When achieving a similar reduction in LDL-C, coadministration of low-dose XZK and EZT could also exert anti-inflammatory effects comparable with those obtained by single high-dose XZK.

Keywords:

• dyslipidemia
• inflammation
• pleiotropic effects
• statin
• Xuezhikang