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Synthetic Approaches Towards Antihypercholesterolemic Drug Simvastatin.
Fattah, TA, Saeed, A, Shehzadi, SA
Current organic synthesis. 2019;(5):652-670
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are among the most threatening problems being faced by twenty-first century humans. The core cause of these diseases is high cholesterol level. Simvastatin (1: Synvinolin) is a well-known cholesterol-lowering drug marketed under the trade name Zocor®, which significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases related to hypercholesterolemia and is effective in lowering the total plasma cholesterol, low-density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. It also enhances the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This review article aims to provide an overview of several chemical and biological methods utilized for the production of simvastatin in high yields and purity. Many robust and scalable methods have been described using lovastatin (2: Mevinolin) as a starting material, produced by the fungal strain of Aspergelius terreus. Enzymatic synthesis of simvastatin is also highlighted in this review. In addition, detailed experimental conditions, as well as the compatibility for industrial-scale preparations of simvastatin are also discussed.
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Lipid-lowering agent-triggered dermatomyositis and polymyositis: a case series and literature review.
Borges, IBP, Silva, MG, Misse, RG, Shinjo, SK
Rheumatology international. 2018;(2):293-301
Abstract
Lipid-lowering agent-triggered dermatomyositis (DM) or polymyositis (PM) is a rare event. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe a series of such cases. A retrospective cohort study of 5 DM and 4 PM cases triggered by prior exposure to lipid-lowering agents between 2001 and 2017 was carried out. All patients, except for two cases, had muscle biopsy compatible with inflammatory myopathy and no serum autoantibodies positive for anti-SRP or anti-HMGCoAR. Median age of the patients at time of diagnosis was 68 years. Seven patients had previously taken simvastatin 20 mg/day (exposure period from 2 days to 4 years) and two bezafibrate 100 mg/day (3-4 months). Median time from symptom onset to disease diagnosis was 6 months. All patients with DM had a heliotrope and/or Gottron's papules. All patients had symmetrical, predominantly proximal muscle weakness of limbs, with median serum creatine phosphokinase of 3087U/L (interquartile 25-75% range 1293-13,937 U/L). All patients received glucocorticoid and immunosuppressants. Complete reversal of clinical symptoms and normalization of serum creatine phosphokinase level occurred within a median of 12 months after starting the treatment. There was disease relapse in three cases, and one case of death was unrelated to the disease (pulmonary infectious complications resulting from lymphoma). In contrast to cases described in the literature, the patients in the present study had a relatively more aggressive course, requiring glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, in addition to a tendency for a longer period to achieve disease remission.
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Doses of rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin that induce equal reductions in LDL-C and non-HDL-C: Results from the VOYAGER meta-analysis.
Karlson, BW, Palmer, MK, Nicholls, SJ, Lundman, P, Barter, PJ
European journal of preventive cardiology. 2016;(7):744-7
Abstract
BACKGROUND Achieving the greatest reduction in atherogenic lipoproteins requires the optimum dose and potency of statin. Using data from the VOYAGER meta-analysis, we determined doses of rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin that induce equal reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C). METHODS Least squares mean percentage change in LDL-C and non-HDL-C was calculated using 38,052 patient exposures to rosuvastatin 5-40 mg, atorvastatin 10-80 mg and simvastatin 10-80 mg. Equipotent doses were estimated by linear interpolation between actual adjacent doses. RESULTS Rosuvastatin 5 mg reduced LDL-C by 39% and non-HDL-C by 35%. Equivalent reductions in LDL-C required atorvastatin 15 mg or simvastatin 39 mg. Equivalent reductions in non-HDL-C required atorvastatin 14 mg or simvastatin 42 mg. Rosuvastatin 10 mg reduced LDL-C by 44% and non-HDL-C by 40%. Equivalent reductions in LDL-C required atorvastatin 29 mg or simvastatin 72 mg. Equivalent reductions in non-HDL-C required atorvastatin 27 mg or simvastatin 77 mg. Rosuvastatin 20 mg reduced LDL-C by 50% and non-HDL-C by 45%. Equivalent reductions in LDL-C and non-HDL-C required atorvastatin 70 mg and atorvastatin 62 mg, respectively, and were not achieved with the maximum 80 mg dose of simvastatin. Rosuvastatin 40 mg reduced LDL-C by 55% and non-HDL-C by 50%. Comparable reductions were not achieved with the maximum 80 mg doses of atorvastatin or simvastatin. CONCLUSIONS Regarding reductions in LDL-C and non-HDL-C, each rosuvastatin dose is equivalent to doses 3-3.5 times higher for atorvastatin and 7-8 times higher for simvastatin.
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Interpretation of the evidence for the efficacy and safety of statin therapy.
Collins, R, Reith, C, Emberson, J, Armitage, J, Baigent, C, Blackwell, L, Blumenthal, R, Danesh, J, Smith, GD, DeMets, D, et al
Lancet (London, England). 2016;(10059):2532-2561
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Abstract
This Review is intended to help clinicians, patients, and the public make informed decisions about statin therapy for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes. It explains how the evidence that is available from randomised controlled trials yields reliable information about both the efficacy and safety of statin therapy. In addition, it discusses how claims that statins commonly cause adverse effects reflect a failure to recognise the limitations of other sources of evidence about the effects of treatment. Large-scale evidence from randomised trials shows that statin therapy reduces the risk of major vascular events (ie, coronary deaths or myocardial infarctions, strokes, and coronary revascularisation procedures) by about one-quarter for each mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol during each year (after the first) that it continues to be taken. The absolute benefits of statin therapy depend on an individual's absolute risk of occlusive vascular events and the absolute reduction in LDL cholesterol that is achieved. For example, lowering LDL cholesterol by 2 mmol/L (77 mg/dL) with an effective low-cost statin regimen (eg, atorvastatin 40 mg daily, costing about £2 per month) for 5 years in 10 000 patients would typically prevent major vascular events from occurring in about 1000 patients (ie, 10% absolute benefit) with pre-existing occlusive vascular disease (secondary prevention) and in 500 patients (ie, 5% absolute benefit) who are at increased risk but have not yet had a vascular event (primary prevention). Statin therapy has been shown to reduce vascular disease risk during each year it continues to be taken, so larger absolute benefits would accrue with more prolonged therapy, and these benefits persist long term. The only serious adverse events that have been shown to be caused by long-term statin therapy-ie, adverse effects of the statin-are myopathy (defined as muscle pain or weakness combined with large increases in blood concentrations of creatine kinase), new-onset diabetes mellitus, and, probably, haemorrhagic stroke. Typically, treatment of 10 000 patients for 5 years with an effective regimen (eg, atorvastatin 40 mg daily) would cause about 5 cases of myopathy (one of which might progress, if the statin therapy is not stopped, to the more severe condition of rhabdomyolysis), 50-100 new cases of diabetes, and 5-10 haemorrhagic strokes. However, any adverse impact of these side-effects on major vascular events has already been taken into account in the estimates of the absolute benefits. Statin therapy may cause symptomatic adverse events (eg, muscle pain or weakness) in up to about 50-100 patients (ie, 0·5-1·0% absolute harm) per 10 000 treated for 5 years. However, placebo-controlled randomised trials have shown definitively that almost all of the symptomatic adverse events that are attributed to statin therapy in routine practice are not actually caused by it (ie, they represent misattribution). The large-scale evidence available from randomised trials also indicates that it is unlikely that large absolute excesses in other serious adverse events still await discovery. Consequently, any further findings that emerge about the effects of statin therapy would not be expected to alter materially the balance of benefits and harms. It is, therefore, of concern that exaggerated claims about side-effect rates with statin therapy may be responsible for its under-use among individuals at increased risk of cardiovascular events. For, whereas the rare cases of myopathy and any muscle-related symptoms that are attributed to statin therapy generally resolve rapidly when treatment is stopped, the heart attacks or strokes that may occur if statin therapy is stopped unnecessarily can be devastating.
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Acute pancreatitis.
Talukdar, R, Vege, SS
Current opinion in gastroenterology. 2015;(5):374-9
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize recent data on classification systems, cause, risk factors, severity prediction, nutrition, and drug treatment of acute pancreatitis. RECENT FINDINGS Comparison of the Revised Atlanta Classification and Determinant Based Classification has shown heterogeneous results. Simvastatin has a protective effect against acute pancreatitis. Young black male, alcohol, smoldering symptoms, and subsequent diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis are risk factors associated with readmissions after acute pancreatitis. A reliable clinical or laboratory marker or a scoring system to predict severity is lacking. The PYTHON trial has shown that oral feeding with on demand nasoenteric tube feeding after 72 h is as good as nasoenteric tube feeding within 24 h in preventing infections in predicted severe acute pancreatitis. Male sex, multiple organ failure, extent of pancreatic necrosis, and heterogeneous collection are factors associated with failure of percutaneous drainage of pancreatic collections. SUMMARY The newly proposed classification systems of acute pancreatitis need to be evaluated more critically. New biomarkers are needed for severity prediction. Further well designed studies are required to assess the type of enteral nutritional formulations for acute pancreatitis. The optimal minimally invasive method or combination to debride the necrotic collections is evolving. There is a great need for a drug to treat the disease early on to prevent morbidity and mortality.
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Statins for the treatment of dementia.
McGuinness, B, Craig, D, Bullock, R, Malouf, R, Passmore, P
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2014;(7):CD007514
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of statin therapy in established Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD) is a relatively unexplored area. In AD, β-amyloid protein (Aβ) is deposited in the form of extracellular plaques and previous studies have determined Aβ generation is cholesterol dependent. Hypercholesterolaemia has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of VaD. Due to the role of statins in cholesterol reduction, it is biologically plausible they may be efficacious in the treatment of AD and VaD. OBJECTIVES To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of statins in the treatment of AD and VaD. To evaluate if the efficacy of statins in the treatment of AD and VaD depends on cholesterol level, ApoE genotype or cognitive level. SEARCH METHODS We searched ALOIS, the Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and LILACS, as well as many trials registries and grey literature sources (20 January 2014). SELECTION CRITERIA Double-blind, randomised controlled trials of statins given for at least six months in people with a diagnosis of dementia. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two independent authors extracted and assessed data against the inclusion criteria. We pooled data where appropriate and entered them into a meta-analysis. We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. MAIN RESULTS We identified four studies (1154 participants, age range 50 to 90 years). All participants had a diagnosis of probable or possible AD according to standard criteria and most participants were established on a cholinesterase inhibitor. The primary outcome in all studies was change in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) from baseline. When we pooled data, there was no significant benefit from statin (mean difference -0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.05 to 0.52, P value = 0.51). All studies provided change in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) from baseline. There was no significant benefit from statins in MMSE when we pooled the data (mean difference -0.32, 95% CI -0.71 to 0.06, P value = 0.10). Three studies reported treatment-related adverse effects. When we pooled data, there was no significant difference between statins and placebo (odds ratio 1.09, 95% CI 0.58 to 2.06, P value = 0.78). There was no significant difference in behaviour, global function or activities of daily living in the statin and placebo groups. We assessed risk of bias as low for all studies. We found no studies assessing role of statins in treatment of VaD. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Analyses from the studies available, including two large randomised controlled trials, indicate that statins have no benefit on the primary outcome measures of ADAS-Cog or MMSE.
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Cholesterol-reducing agents for aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Liu, Z, Liu, L, Zhang, Z, Chen, Z, Zhao, B
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2013;(4):CD008184
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral vasospasm and related delayed ischaemic deficits (DIDs) occur in about 17% to 40% of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and lead to a poor outcome. Cholesterol-reducing agents might improve unfavourable outcomes. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of cholesterol-reducing agents for improving outcomes in patients with aneurysmal SAH. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (May 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 5), MEDLINE (1948 to May 2012) and EMBASE (1980 to May 2012). We also searched three Chinese databases: SinoMed, CNKI and VIP (May 2012). In an effort to identify further published, ongoing and unpublished trials we searched relevant clinical trials and research registers (May 2012), contacted pharmaceutical companies and investigators known to be involved in previous trials and screened the reference lists of all relevant articles identified. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared cholesterol-reducing agents with control or placebo treatment in participants with aneurysmal SAH. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently applied the inclusion criteria, reviewed the relevant trials and extracted data. We did not perform meta-analysis as we only included one RCT in the review. MAIN RESULTS We included one study in which 39 patients received either simvastatin (80 mg daily; n = 19) or placebo (n = 20) for 14 days. The incidence of DIDs (secondary outcome) was 26% (5/19) in the simvastatin group versus 60% (12/20) in the placebo group (risk ratio (RR) 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19 to 1.01, P = 0.05). This means that, in this study, simvastatin had no effect on DIDs. Two patients in the simvastatin group and one patient in the placebo group had elevated levels of aspartate transaminase or alanine transaminase. One patient in the simvastatin group had a raised creatine phosphokinase. There were no results from this trial for the primary outcome of death or dependency at six months. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We cannot draw any conclusions about the effectiveness and safety of lowering cholesterol in aneurysmal SAH because of insufficient reliable evidence from only one small trial. More RCTs are needed.
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The ezetimibe controversy - can this be resolved by comparing the clinical trials with simvastatin and ezetimibe alone and together?
Doggrell, SA
Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy. 2012;(10):1469-80
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION The primary target in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia is often to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, rather than improve clinical outcomes. Despite the wide use of lipid-modifying drugs, considerable cardiovascular mortality and morbidity remains with this disease. Hypercholesterolemia plays a key role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis and can lead to cardiac heart disease. AREAS COVERED The purpose of this review is to determine whether ezetimibe has proven clinical benefits; it discusses the clinical trials of simvastatin and ezetimibe alone and in combination. EXPERT OPINION Simvastatin has been clearly shown to decrease LDL-cholesterol, which is associated with the slowing of atherosclerosis and a reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Ezetimibe alone or in the presence of simvastatin lowers LDL-cholesterol. However, ezetimibe alone or in the presence of simvastatin has not been shown to have any irrefutable beneficial effects on atherosclerosis or cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Thus, until/unless the use of ezetimibe is clearly shown to improve clinical outcomes, its use should be largely restricted to clinical trials investigating clinical outcomes and should not be used routinely in everyday practice.
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[Lipid therapy in daily routine].
Sonntag, F, Schaefer, JR, Gitt, AK, Weizel, A, Jannowitz, C, Karmann, B, Pittrow, D, Bestehorn, K
Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946). 2012;(40):2047-52
Abstract
Patients with increased cardiovascular risk profile are frequently seen in general practice. Comprehensive management of modifiable risk factors, in particular dyslipidemia, is mandatory. Many studies in clinical practice have shown a gap between the recommendations in clinical guidelines and the actual situation. Current data on the management situation of patients with high cardiovascular risk is provided by the prospective registry LIMA. Primary care physicians in 2,387 offices throughout Germany documented 13,924 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Treatment with simvastatin 40 mg was an inclusion criterion. Physicians documented drug utilization, laboratory values (lipids, blood glucose), blood pressure and clinical events over one year and received feedback about the target value attainment of their patients after data entry. Mean age of the patients was 65.7 years, and 61.6 % were men. CAD was reported in 70.6 %, diabetes mellitus in 58.2 % and PAD in 14.9 %. Most patients (68 %) received simvastatin as monotherapy also after the inclusion visit; 20.6 % of patients received in addition the cholesterol absorption inhibitor (ezetimibe) in the first 6 months, and 23.3 % in the second 6 months. Patients achieved the LDL-cholesterol target value in 31.8 % at entry and 50.0 % after one year. The blood pressure target < 140 /90 mmHg was reached by 65.8 % after one year. Of patients with diabetes mellitus 40.0 % reached an HbA1c value below 6.5 %. Clinical events (death, hospitalization, (cardio-) vascular events, and dialysis) were reported by 11.7 % of patients between entry and Month 6, and by 12.0 % between Month 7 and 12. In daily practice comprehensive management of risk factors in patients at high cardiovascular risk remains a challenge. For normalization of increased LDL cholesterol values addition of ezetimibe to existing statin therapy improves the chances of patients for target level attainment.
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Statins for multiple sclerosis.
Wang, J, Xiao, Y, Luo, M, Luo, H
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2011;(12):CD008386
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the human central nervous system. Statins, prescribed as cholesterol lowering agents, have shown possible effects for treating MS in experimental and preliminary clinical studies. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of statins administered alone or as add-on to approved treatments for MS. SEARCH METHODS The Trials Search Coordinator searched the Cochrane MS Group Trials Register (1 August 2011). We searched the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (1979 to 1 August 2011), trials registers and conference proceedings. Pharmaceutical companies and authors of included studies were contacted for additional information.There were no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials comparing statins with placebo, or comparing statins in combination with approved treatments alone for patients with MS. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Three review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS Four trials involving 458 participants were included. All trials compared statins (two evaluating atorvastatin and two simvastatin) plus interferon beta-1a with interferon beta-1a alone for treating MS. The methodological quality was good for three studies and poor for remaining one. None of them showed statistically significant difference between both treatment groups in reducing relapses, preventing disease progression or developing new T2 or gadolinium-enhanced lesions on MRI after 9, 12, 24 months follow up period. Statins resulted to be safe and well tolerated, no serious adverse effects were reported. Changes on quality of life after receiving statins were not reported in the trials. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is no convincing evidence to support the use of either atorvastatin or simvastatin as an adjunctive therapy in MS.