Abstract
Visceral obesity is one of the main causes of metabolic syndrome,as well as a risk factor for cerebro-/cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, in addition to lifestyle correction, effective drug therapy should be established. In this study, we administered ezetimibe to dyslipidemia patients with metabolic syndrome, and compared its effects on serum lipids and visceral obesity with those of statins.We randomly assigned outpatients to receive ezetimibe (EZ) or atorvastatin (AT), and examined changes in the serum levels of lipids and umbilical visceral fat area for 24 weeks.During the study period, 15 patients each were registered to receive EZ or AT. In the EZ group, the total cholesterol (TC)(p<0.01), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C)(p<0.01), triglyceride (TG)(p<0.01), and remnant-like lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C) (p<0.01) levels significantly decreased. There was also a significant reduction in theumbilical visceral fat area (from 158.1 ± 11.0 to 156.2 ± 11.5 cm 2 ) (p=0.01). In the AT group, there were significant decreases in the TC (p<0.05), LDL-C (p<0.01), and RLP-C (p<0.01) levels, but there were no significant changes in the umbilical visceral fat area.EZ may become a useful treatment option for dyslipidemia patients with obesity or metabolic syndrome.
Highlights
With lifestyle changes such as overeating and lack of exercise, the number of obese patients has markedly increased
We evaluated changes in the body weight, body mass index (BMI), serum lipid levels, glucose metabolism, umbilical abdominal circumference, and umbilical visceral fat area after administration
The total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, and remnant-like lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C) levels significantly decreased after 24 weeks, but there was a significant decrease in the TG level only in the EZ group (Figures 1 and 2)
Summary
With lifestyle changes such as overeating and lack of exercise, the number of obese patients has markedly increased. In Japan, obese patients have been estimated to account for more than 30 and 20% of adult males and females, respectively [1]. Especially visceral obesity, is one of the main causes of metabolic syndrome. It causes dyslipidemia, type II diabetes, and hypertension, becoming a risk factor for arteriosclerotic disorders [2]. Basic treatment for obesity is weight control by diet/exercise therapies, such as a decrease in energy intake and an increase in energy consumption. It is difficult to continue this treatment over a long period in many cases.
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