Vascular Effects of Ezetimibe/Simvastatin and Simvastatin on Atherosclerosis
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2008-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Multiple clinical trials, using 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase
inhibitors (statins), have shown benefit in the primary and secondary prevention of
atherosclerotic complications. However, till now, there is an incomplete understanding of all
the mechanisms of the biologic effects of statins beyond LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction,
but there is accumulating evidence that the Rho-GTP/Rho-Kinase pathway (Rho/Rho-K) plays an
important role and may be a strategic therapeutic target in cardiovascular diseases. With
similar LDL-C reduction ability, the availability of Ezetimibe offers the potential to begin
to address the question whether some of the benefits conferred by statins may accrue
independently of their effects on LDL-C lowering. A better understanding of the role of the
Rho/Rho-kinase signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in human is
essential. Inhibition of Rho/Rho-kinase by statins may explain some of the biological
beneficial effects of statins observed in clinical trials. This study aims to translate into
patients important experimental discoveries regarding the initiation of inflammation in
atherosclerosis in an attempt to improve upon the present treatment of cardiovascular
diseases.
Phase:
Phase 4
Details
Lead Sponsor:
National Cheng-Kung University Hospital
Treatments:
Ezetimibe Ezetimibe, Simvastatin Drug Combination Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Simvastatin