A 16-week fenofibrate treatment increases LDL particle size in type IIA dyslipidemic patients

Objective: The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of a 16-week pharmacotherapy with fenofibrate (200 mg) or pravastatin (initially 20 mg for 8-weeks and, if necessary, increased to 40 mg) on low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size assessed by gradient gel electrophoresis among patients with type IIa dyslipidemia. Methods: For that purpose, type IIa dyslipidemic patients (cholesterol, 7.45±1.18 (S.D.) mmol/l; LDL cholesterol, 5.57±1.16 mmol/l; triglycerides (TGs), 1.66±0.43 mmol/l) were randomized to either fenofibrate ( n=36) or pravastatin ( n=43) therapy for 16 weeks. Fasting plasma lipoprotein levels as well as the LDL peak particle size (using 2–16% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) were assessed at baseline and after the 16-week treatment period. Results: Whereas significant improvements in the plasma lipoprotein–lipid variables were observed with both fenofibrate and pravastatin treatments, LDL peak particle size was only significantly increased with fenofibrate therapy (+2.11±5.18 Å, P