A Study Evaluating the Effects of Lipid Lowering Treatment on Steroid Synthesis

• Status: Unknown status
• Trial end date: 2008-01-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Cholesterol is the precursor of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and sex steroids. Both adrenal and non-adrenal (ovarian + testicular) all steroid hormones are primarily synthesized using the LDL-cholesterol in the circulation. Additionally there is 'de novo' cholesterol synthesis in both the adrenals and gonads controlled by the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme. A third pathway is the use of circulatory HDL-cholesterol by the adrenal and gonadal tissues for the synthesis of steroids. Since statins both decrease circulatory LDL and inhibit de novo cholesterol synthesis, they are likely to affect the synthesis of steroid hormones. In this study we aim to investigate the effects of lowering LDL levels below 70 mg/dL on steroid hormone synthesis.

• Phase: Phase 4

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Abant Izzet Baysal University
• Treatments: Atorvastatin; Atorvastatin Calcium; Ezetimibe

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients in the very high risk group according to the ATPIII guide.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients having a major disease involving hepatic, gastrointestinal and endocrinologic diseases other than diabetes.

• Patients having a known muscle disease

• Pregnancy, breast-feeding

• Patients having a history of allergy to statins or ezetimibe

• Nephropathic patients