Effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor Pravastatin on urinary 6 β-hydroxycortisol excretion: a preliminary study

In this preliminary study, the levels of urinary 6 β-hydroxycortisol and urinary free cortisol and the 6 βhydroxycortisol/free cortisol ratio were determined in normal volunteers and in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia before and after Pravastatin administration (10 mg/dfor2 weeks). Urinary 6 β-hydroxycortisol and 6 β-hydroxycortisol/free cortisol ratio increased significantly in both groups after Pravastatin administration ( P < 0.05). The percent increase of 6 β-hydroxycortisol/free cortisol did not differ significantly when the two groups were compared. Our preliminary results suggest that Pravastatin induces hepatic microsomal 6 β-hydroxylase both in normal volunteers and in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.