Effects of an Inhibitor of 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme a Reductase on Serum Lipoproteins and Ubiquinone-10 Levels in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

We studied the effects of ML-236B, a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, on serum levels of lipoproteins and ubiquinone-10 in seven heterozygous patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. ML-236B was given at doses of 30 to 60 mg per day for 24 weeks. Serum cholesterol decreased from 390±9 to 303±8 mg per deciliter (10.1 ±0.2 to 7.88±0.2 mmol per liter, mean ±S.E.M.; Pμg per milliliter (P<0.05). No adverse effects were observed. We conclude that ML-236B is effective in lowering serum cholesterol without lowering serum ubiquinone-10 in heterozygous patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. (N Engl J Med. 1981; 305:478–82.)