Colestimide, an anion exchange resin agent, can decrease the number of LDL particles without affecting their size in patients with hyperlipidemia.

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies have demonstrated that not only plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, but also the number of small dense LDL particles are involved in the development of arteriosclerosis. Anion exchange resins can reduce plasma LDL levels and affect LDL particle size via increasing triglycerides. In the present study, the effects of short-term colestimide administration on LDL particle size were investigated.

METHODS

Obese patients with primary hyperlipidemia (n=21) were administered 3000 mg/day of colestimide for 1 month and fasting blood was obtained before and after the treatment. LDL particle size and number were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) lipoprofile using magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Levels of plasma LDL cholesterol decreased from 155.5 mg/dl to 128.1 mg/dl (p<0.001) and levels of apolipoprotein B decreased from 139.2 mg/dl to 120.6 mg/dl (p<0.001) by colestimide administration. Levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride were unaltered. LDL particle size did not change, whereas LDL particle numbers decreased from 1920.3 nmol/l to 1568.8 nmol/l (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term administration of colestimide to patients with hyperlipidemia reduced LDL particle numbers. LDL particle size was not changed.