High Dose of Simvastatin Normalizes Postprandial Remnant-Like Particle Response in Patients With Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and disturbances in postprandial lipoprotein metabolism are both associated with premature atherosclerosis. The effect of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors on plasma cholesterol levels in patients with FH is well established; however, it is not known whether postprandial lipoproteins are also influenced. In this case-controlled intervention study, we investigated the effects of high-dose simvastatin on postprandial lipoproteins. We used a new method to analyze remnant lipoproteins based on the immunoseparation principle (remnant-like particle cholesterol [RLP-C] assay) and the well-established measurement of retinyl ester (RE) analysis in plasma and in the Svedberg flotation unit (Sf)