Skip to main content

Lipid-Modifying Drugs: Pharmacology and Perspectives

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Coronary Artery Disease: Therapeutics and Drug Discovery

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1177))

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is well known that dyslipidemia is a major pathogenic risk factor for atherosclerosis and CAD, which results in cardiac ischemic injury and myocardial infarction. Lipid-modifying drugs can effectively improve lipid abnormalities including reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) or increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and eventually decrease the incidence of cardiovascular events. This chapter will review basic principles of lipid metabolism and focus on the therapeutic strategies of lipids modifying drugs (statins, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, ezetimibe, niacin, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and so on) in patients with arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, the challenges and perspectives of the lipid-lowering agents currently in clinical practice as well as their limitations will be outlined.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aarsland A, Chinkes D, Wolfe RR (1996) Contributions of de novo synthesis of fatty acids to total vldl-triglyceride secretion during prolonged hyperglycemia/hyperinsulinemia in normal man. J Clin Invest 98:2008–2017

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Averna M, Stroes E (2017) Lipid alterations beyond LDLewg. how to assess and manage cardiovascular risk associated with lipid alterations beyond ldl. Atheroscler Suppl 26:16–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Baigent C, Keech A, Kearney PM, Blackwell L, Buck G, Pollicino C, Kirby A, Sourjina T, Peto R, Collins R, Simes R, Cholesterol Treatment Trialists C (2005) Efficacy and safety of cholesterol-lowering treatment: Prospective meta-analysis of data from 90,056 participants in 14 randomised trials of statins. Lancet 366:1267–1278

    Google Scholar 

  • Blom DJ, Hala T, Bolognese M, Lillestol MJ, Toth PD, Burgess L, Ceska R, Roth E, Koren MJ, Ballantyne CM, Monsalvo ML, Tsirtsonis K, Kim JB, Scott R, Wasserman SM, Stein EA, Investigators D (2014) A 52-week placebo-controlled trial of evolocumab in hyperlipidemia. N Engl J Med 370:1809–1819

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown MS, Goldstein JL (1979) Receptor-mediated endocytosis: insights from the lipoprotein receptor system. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 76:3330–3337

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calder PC, Grimble RF (2002) Polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation and immunity. Eur J Clin Nutr 56(Suppl 3):S14–S19

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cannon CP, Blazing MA, Giugliano RP, McCagg A, White JA, Theroux P, Darius H, Lewis BS, Ophuis TO, Jukema JW, De Ferrari GM, Ruzyllo W, De Lucca P, Im K, Bohula EA, Reist C, Wiviott SD, Tershakovec AM, Musliner TA, Braunwald E, Califf RM, Investigators I-I (2015) Ezetimibe added to statin therapy after acute coronary syndromes. N Engl J Med 372:2387–2397

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chinetti G, Gbaguidi FG, Griglio S, Mallat Z, Antonucci M, Poulain P, Chapman J, Fruchart JC, Tedgui A, Najib-Fruchart J, Staels B (2000) ClA-1/SR-BI is expressed in atherosclerotic lesion macrophages and regulated by activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Circulation 101:2411–2417

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chinetti G, Lestavel S, Bocher V, Remaley AT, Neve B, Torra IP, Teissier E, Minnich A, Jaye M, Duverger N, Brewer HB, Fruchart JC, Clavey V, Staels B (2001) Ppar-alpha and ppar-gamma activators induce cholesterol removal from human macrophage foam cells through stimulation of the ABCA1 pathway. Nat Med 7:53–58

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen JC, Boerwinkle E, Mosley TH Jr, Hobbs HH (2006) Sequence variations in PCSK9, low ldl, and protection against coronary heart disease. N Engl J Med 354:1264–1272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colhoun HM, Betteridge DJ, Durrington PN, Hitman GA, Neil HA, Livingstone SJ, Thomason MJ, Mackness MI, Charlton-Menys V, Fuller JH (2004) Investigators C. primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with atorvastatin in type 2 diabetes in the collaborative atorvastatin diabetes study (cards): Multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 364:685–696

    Google Scholar 

  • Downs JR, Clearfield M, Weis S, Whitney E, Shapiro DR, Beere PA, Langendorfer A, Stein EA, Kruyer W, Gotto AM, Jr (1998) Primary prevention of acute coronary events with lovastatin in men and women with average cholesterol levels: results of AFCAPS/TexCAPS. air force/texas coronary atherosclerosis prevention study. JAMA 279:1615–1622

    Google Scholar 

  • Emerging Risk Factors C, Di Angelantonio E, Sarwar N, Perry P, Kaptoge S, Ray KK, Thompson A, Wood AM, Lewington S, Sattar N, Packard CJ, Collins R, Thompson SG, Danesh J (2009) Major lipids, apolipoproteins, and risk of vascular disease. JAMA 302:1993–2000

    Google Scholar 

  • Expert Panel on Detection E (2001) Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in A. Executive summary of the third report of the national cholesterol education program (ncep) expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (adult treatment panel iii). JAMA 285:2486–2497

    Google Scholar 

  • Gagne C, Gaudet D, Bruckert E, Ezetimibe Study G (2002) Efficacy and safety of ezetimibe coadministered with atorvastatin or simvastatin in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Circulation 105:2469–2475

    Google Scholar 

  • Gotto AM Jr, Brinton EA (2004) Assessing low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as a risk factor in coronary heart disease: a working group report and update. J Am Coll Cardiol 43:717–724

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta RA, Wang D, Katkuri S, Wang H, Dey SK, DuBois RN (2004) Activation of nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta accelerates intestinal adenoma growth. Nat Med 10:245–247

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gursky O (2005) Apolipoprotein structure and dynamics. Curr Opin Lipidol 16:287–294

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harris WS (1997) N-3 fatty acids and serum lipoproteins: human studies. Am J Clin Nutr 65:1645S–1654S

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heart Protection Study Collaborative G (2002) Mrc/bhf heart protection study of cholesterol lowering with simvastatin in 20,536 high-risk individuals: A randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 360:7–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Investigators A-H, Boden WE, Probstfield JL, Anderson T, Chaitman BR, Desvignes-Nickens P, Koprowicz K, McBride R, Teo K, Weintraub W (2011) Niacin in patients with low hdl cholesterol levels receiving intensive statin therapy. N Engl J Med 365:2255–2267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson TA, Ito MK, Maki KC, Orringer CE, Bays HE, Jones PH, McKenney JM, Grundy SM, Gill EA, Wild RA, Wilson DP, Brown WV (2015) National lipid association recommendations for patient-centered management of dyslipidemia: part 1—full report. J Clin Lipidol 9:129–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kathiresan S (2008) Myocardial infarction genetics C. A PCSK9 missense variant associated with a reduced risk of early-onset myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med 358:2299–2300

    Google Scholar 

  • Krauss RM (1995) Dense low density lipoproteins and coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol 75:53B–57B

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kromhout D, Giltay EJ, Geleijnse JM (2010) Alpha Omega trial G. N-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med 363:2015–2026

    Google Scholar 

  • LaRosa JC, Grundy SM, Waters DD, Shear C, Barter P, Fruchart JC, Gotto AM, Greten H, Kastelein JJ, Shepherd J, Wenger NK (2005) Treating to new targets I. intensive lipid lowering with atorvastatin in patients with stable coronary disease. N Engl J Med 352:1425–1435

    Google Scholar 

  • Lavigne PM, Karas RH (2013) The current state of niacin in cardiovascular disease prevention: a systematic review and meta-regression. J Am Coll Cardiol 61:440–446

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Long-Term Intervention with Pravastatin in Ischaemic Disease Study Group (1998) Prevention of cardiovascular events and death with pravastatin in patients with coronary heart disease and a broad range of initial cholesterol levels. N Engl J Med 339:1349–1357

    Google Scholar 

  • Maki KC, Ridker PM, Brown WV, Grundy SM, Sattar N (2014) The diabetes subpanel of the national lipid association expert P. An assessment by the statin diabetes safety task force: 2014 update. J Clin Lipidol 8:S17–S29

    Google Scholar 

  • McKenney JM, Davidson MH, Jacobson TA, Guyton JR (2006) National lipid association statin safety assessment task F. Final conclusions and recommendations of the national lipid association statin safety assessment task force. Am J Cardiol 97:89C–94C

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller M, Cannon CP, Murphy SA, Qin J, Ray KK, Braunwald E (2008) Investigators PI-T. impact of triglyceride levels beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol after acute coronary syndrome in the prove it-timi 22 trial J Am Coll Cardiol 51:724–730

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller M, Stone NJ, Ballantyne C, Bittner V, Criqui MH, Ginsberg HN, Goldberg AC, Howard WJ, Jacobson MS, Kris-Etherton PM, Lennie TA, Levi M, Mazzone T, Pennathur S (2011) American Heart Association Clinical Lipidology T, Prevention Committee of the Council on Nutrition PA, Metabolism, Council on Arteriosclerosis T, Vascular B, Council on Cardiovascular N, Council on the Kidney in Cardiovascular D. Triglycerides and cardiovascular disease: A scientific statement from the american heart association. Circulation. 123:2292–2333

    Google Scholar 

  • Moran A, Gu D, Zhao D, Coxson P, Wang YC, Chen CS, Liu J, Cheng J, Bibbins-Domingo K, Shen YM, He J, Goldman L (2010) Future cardiovascular disease in china: Markov model and risk factor scenario projections from the coronary heart disease policy model-china. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 3:243–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura H, Arakawa K, Itakura H, Kitabatake A, Goto Y, Toyota T, Nakaya N, Nishimoto S, Muranaka M, Yamamoto A, Mizuno K, Ohashi Y, Group MS (2006) Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with pravastatin in japan (mega study): a prospective randomised controlled trial. Lancet 368:1155–1163

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver WR Jr, Shenk JL, Snaith MR, Russell CS, Plunket KD, Bodkin NL, Lewis MC, Winegar DA, Sznaidman ML, Lambert MH, Xu HE, Sternbach DD, Kliewer SA, Hansen BC, Willson TM (2001) A selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta agonist promotes reverse cholesterol transport. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 98:5306–5311

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen TR, Faergeman O, Kastelein JJ, Olsson AG, Tikkanen MJ, Holme I, Larsen ML, Bendiksen FS, Lindahl C, Szarek M, Tsai J (2005) Incremental decrease in end points through aggressive lipid lowering study G. high-dose atorvastatin versus usual-dose simvastatin for secondary prevention after myocardial infarction: The ideal study: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 294:2437–2445

    Google Scholar 

  • Piqueras L, Reynolds AR, Hodivala-Dilke KM, Alfranca A, Redondo JM, Hatae T, Tanabe T, Warner TD, Bishop-Bailey D (2007) Activation of pparbeta/delta induces endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 27:63–69

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reiffel JA, McDonald A (2006) Antiarrhythmic effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Am J Cardiol 98:50i–60i

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ridker PM, Danielson E, Fonseca FA, Genest J, Gotto AM, Jr, Kastelein JJ, Koenig W, Libby P, Lorenzatti AJ, MacFadyen JG, Nordestgaard BG, Shepherd J, Willerson JT, Glynn RJ, Group JS (2008) Rosuvastatin to prevent vascular events in men and women with elevated c-reactive protein. N Engl J Med 359:2195–2207

    Google Scholar 

  • Risk, Prevention Study Collaborative G, Roncaglioni MC, Tombesi M, Avanzini F, Barlera S, Caimi V, Longoni P, Marzona I, Milani V, Silletta MG, Tognoni G, Marchioli R (2013) N-3 fatty acids in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. N Engl J Med 368:1800–1808

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson JG, Farnier M, Krempf M, Bergeron J, Luc G, Averna M, Stroes ES, Langslet G, Raal FJ, El Shahawy M, Koren MJ, Lepor NE, Lorenzato C, Pordy R, Chaudhari U, Kastelein JJ, Investigators OLT (2015) Efficacy and safety of alirocumab in reducing lipids and cardiovascular events. N Engl J Med 372:1489–1499

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rohrer L, Hersberger M, von Eckardstein A (2004) High density lipoproteins in the intersection of diabetes mellitus, inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Curr Opin Lipidol 15:269–278

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rojas-Fernandez CH, Goldstein LB, Levey AI, Taylor BA, Bittner V (2014) The national lipid association’s safety task F. An assessment by the statin cognitive safety task force: 2014 update. J Clin Lipidol 8:S5–S16

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenson RS, Brewer HB Jr, Davidson WS, Fayad ZA, Fuster V, Goldstein J, Hellerstein M, Jiang XC, Phillips MC, Rader DJ, Remaley AT, Rothblat GH, Tall AR, Yvan-Charvet L (2012) Cholesterol efflux and atheroprotection: advancing the concept of reverse cholesterol transport. Circulation 125:1905–1919

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenson RS, Brewer HB, Rader DJ (2014a) Lipoproteins as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the setting of acute coronary syndrome. Circ Res 114:1880–1889

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenson RS, Baker SK, Jacobson TA, Kopecky SL, Parker BA (2014b) The national lipid association’s muscle safety expert P. An assessment by the statin muscle safety task force: 2014 update. J Clin Lipidol 8:S58–S71

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabatine MS, Giugliano RP, Wiviott SD, Raal FJ, Blom DJ, Robinson J, Ballantyne CM, Somaratne R, Legg J, Wasserman SM, Scott R, Koren MJ, Stein EA (2015) Open-label study of long-term evaluation against LDLCI. Efficacy and safety of evolocumab in reducing lipids and cardiovascular events. N Engl J Med 372:1500–1509

    Google Scholar 

  • Sacks FM, Pfeffer MA, Moye LA, Rouleau JL, Rutherford JD, Cole TG, Brown L, Warnica JW, Arnold JM, Wun CC, Davis BR, Braunwald E (1996) The effect of pravastatin on coronary events after myocardial infarction in patients with average cholesterol levels. Cholesterol and recurrent events trial investigators. N Engl J Med 335:1001–1009

    Google Scholar 

  • Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study Group (1994) Randomised trial of cholesterol lowering in 4444 patients with coronary heart disease: the scandinavian simvastatin survival study (4S). Lancet. 344:1383–1389

    Google Scholar 

  • Serruys PW, de Feyter P, Macaya C, Kokott N, Puel J, Vrolix M, Branzi A, Bertolami MC, Jackson G, Strauss B, Meier B (2002) Lescol intervention prevention study I. Fluvastatin for prevention of cardiac events following successful first percutaneous coronary intervention: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 287:3215–3222

    Google Scholar 

  • Shepherd J, Cobbe SM, Ford I, Isles CG, Lorimer AR, MacFarlane PW, McKillop JH, Packard CJ (1995) Prevention of coronary heart disease with pravastatin in men with hypercholesterolemia. West of scotland coronary prevention study group. N Engl J Med 333:1301–1307

    Google Scholar 

  • Shishehbor MH, Aviles RJ, Brennan ML, Fu X, Goormastic M, Pearce GL, Gokce N, Keaney JF Jr, Penn MS, Sprecher DL, Vita JA, Hazen SL (2003) Association of nitrotyrosine levels with cardiovascular disease and modulation by statin therapy. JAMA 289:1675–1680

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith SC, Jr., Benjamin EJ, Bonow RO, Braun LT, Creager MA, Franklin BA, Gibbons RJ, Grundy SM, Hiratzka LF, Jones DW, Lloyd-Jones DM, Minissian M, Mosca L, Peterson ED, Sacco RL, Spertus J, Stein JH, Taubert KA, World Heart F (2011) The preventive cardiovascular nurses A. AHA/ACCF secondary prevention and risk reduction therapy for patients with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease: 2011 update: a guideline from the american heart association and american college of cardiology foundation. Circulation 124:2458–2473

    Google Scholar 

  • Spinar J, Spinarova L (2014) Vitovec J [improved reduction of outcomes: Vytorin efficacy international trial (studie improve-it)]. Vnitr Lek 60:1095–1101

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sprecher DL, Massien C, Pearce G, Billin AN, Perlstein I, Willson TM, Hassall DG, Ancellin N, Patterson SD, Lobe DC, Johnson TG (2007) Triglyceride:High-density lipoprotein cholesterol effects in healthy subjects administered a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta agonist. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 27:359–365

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Staels B, Fruchart JC (2005) Therapeutic roles of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists. Diabetes 54:2460–2470

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Staels B, Dallongeville J, Auwerx J, Schoonjans K, Leitersdorf E, Fruchart JC (1998) Mechanism of action of fibrates on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Circulation 98:2088–2093

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stein EA, Raal F (2014) Reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by monoclonal antibody inhibition of PCSK9. Annu Rev Med 65:417–431

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stroes ES, Thompson PD, Corsini A, Vladutiu GD, Raal FJ, Ray KK, Roden M, Stein E, Tokgozoglu L, Nordestgaard BG, Bruckert E, De Backer G, Krauss RM, Laufs U, Santos RD, Hegele RA, Hovingh GK, Leiter LA, Mach F, Marz W, Newman CB, Wiklund O, Jacobson TA, Catapano AL, Chapman MJ, Ginsberg HN (2015) European atherosclerosis society consensus P. Statin-associated muscle symptoms: impact on statin therapy-european atherosclerosis society consensus panel statement on assessment, aetiology and management. Eur Heart J 36:1012–1022

    Google Scholar 

  • Sudhop T, von Bergmann K (2002) Cholesterol absorption inhibitors for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs 62:2333–2347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sudhop T, Lutjohann D, Kodal A, Igel M, Tribble DL, Shah S, Perevozskaya I, von Bergmann K (2002) Inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption by ezetimibe in humans. Circulation 106:1943–1948

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Talayero BG, Sacks FM (2011) The role of triglycerides in atherosclerosis. Curr Cardiol Rep 13:544–552

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tamura S, Shimomura I (2005) Contribution of adipose tissue and de novo lipogenesis to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. J Clin Invest. 115:1139–1142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor F, Ward K, Moore TH, Burke M, Davey Smith G, Casas JP, Ebrahim S (2011) Statins for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev CD004816

    Google Scholar 

  • van der Graaf A, Cuffie-Jackson C, Vissers MN, Trip MD, Gagne C, Shi G, Veltri E, Avis HJ, Kastelein JJ (2008) Efficacy and safety of coadministration of ezetimibe and simvastatin in adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. J Am Coll Cardiol 52:1421–1429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Fu M, Zhu X, Xiao Y, Mou Y, Zheng H, Akinbami MA, Wang Q, Chen YE (2002) Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta is up-regulated during vascular lesion formation and promotes post-confluent cell proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells. J Biol Chem 277:11505–11512

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yong-Jian Wu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Xu, RX., Wu, YJ. (2020). Lipid-Modifying Drugs: Pharmacology and Perspectives. In: Wang, M. (eds) Coronary Artery Disease: Therapeutics and Drug Discovery. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1177. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2517-9_5

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics