Effect of simvastatin in addition to chenodeoxycholic acid in patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

Metabolism. 1999 Feb;48(2):233-8. doi: 10.1016/s0026-0495(99)90040-9.

Abstract

The effects of combination therapy with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and simvastatin on serum cholestanol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and lathosterol levels were investigated in seven adult patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) who were on long-term treatment with CDCA. The patients were treated with a combination of CDCA 750 mg daily and an increasing dose of simvastatin from 10 mg to 40 mg daily for a period of 6 months. We found a significant effect of this combination therapy compared with CDCA alone in terms of decreasing the serum cholestanol and LDL cholesterol levels, particularly with a daily dose of 40 mg simvastatin. The mean cholestanol level decreased from 9.27 micromol/L (baseline) to 6.69 micromol/L (40 mg simvastatin), while the mean LDL cholesterol level decreased from 5.08 mmol/L (baseline) to 3.04 mmol/L (40 mg simvastatin). No side effects were reported, and there were no effects on the clinical condition, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), visual evoked potentials, and electroencephalographic features. We conclude that a combination of 750 mg CDCA and 40 mg simvastatin daily is effective to further reduce serum cholestanol, LDL cholesterol, and lathosterol in adult CTX patients treated with long-term CDCA. Whether this combination treatment will be effective for the long-term prevention of neurological deterioration and atherosclerosis remains to be established.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticholesteremic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Chenodeoxycholic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Lipids / blood
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Simvastatin / therapeutic use*
  • Xanthomatosis, Cerebrotendinous / blood
  • Xanthomatosis, Cerebrotendinous / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Lipids
  • Chenodeoxycholic Acid
  • Cholesterol
  • Simvastatin