Objective: The combination of hypertriglyceridemia and low high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is one of the most common lipid abnormalities. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of ciprofibrate on lipid profile in patients with Frederickson's type IV dyslipidemia phenotype.
Research design and methods: Seventy-five patients with type IV dyslipidemia were assigned at random to 1 of 2 therapeutic options: group A (control), American Heart Association (AHA) Step II diet and physical activity; and group B, AHA diet, physical activity, and ciprofibrate 100 mg daily for 8 weeks. The lipid profile of all patients was determined at baseline and after therapeutic intervention.
Results: Patients in group B (treated with ciprofibrate) compared with group A (control) had significantly higher reductions in total cholesterol (downward arrow 14.2% vs. downward arrow 4.8%; P < 0.02), triglycerides (downward arrow 38.0% vs. downward arrow 21.6%; P < 0.007), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (downward arrow 38.0% vs. downward arrow 21.6%; P < 0.007), non-HDL cholesterol (downward arrow 20.5% vs. downward arrow 7.1%; P < 0.007), and total cholesterol/high density cholesterol ratio (downward arrow 25.6% vs. downward arrow 9.4%; P < 0.01). The ciprofibrate group had a significantly higher increase in HDL cholesterol levels compared with the other group (upward arrow 25.0% vs. upward arrow 9.6%, P < 0.02).
Conclusions: Ciprofibrate treatment effectively reduced triglyceride-rich particles and non-HDL cholesterol, and significantly increased HDL cholesterol, proving its effectiveness in patients with low HDL cholesterol and type IV Frederickson's hyperlipidemia.