Erythrocyte-bound apolipoprotein B after withdrawal of statin therapy

Preliminary data has shown that erythrocyte-bound apolipoprotein B (ery-apoB)
has a protective effect on atherosclerosis. Moreover, a modest but significant
negative correlation existed between ery-apoB and plasma apoB and LDL-C in
subjects without statins but not in subjects with statins. The direct effects
of statins on ery-apoB are unknown.

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of statins on ery-apoB
levels.

A non-randomized intervention study. Ery-apoB will be measured twice in
volunteers who are on statin therapy for medical reasons. After a baseline
measurement of ery-apoB volunteers will discontinue their statin use for a
period of six weeks followed by a second measurement of ery-apoB. Consecutively
subjects will start with their original statin therapy again.

Temporary discontinuation of statin therapy for a period of six weeks.

Volunteers will visit the outpatient clinic twice, the second visit will be
exactly six weeks after the first visit. The volunteers* general practitioner
and medical specialist (internist or cardiologist) will be informed about their
participation. Subjects have to fast for 10 hours before every visit and venous
blood samples will be drawn on both visits (a total of 36ml of blood). Subjects
will discontinue their usual statin therapy for a period of three weeks. No
major risks are involved with temporary discontinuation of statin therapy in
stable chronic cardiovascular disease. Volunteers will receive 25 euros for
participation. Subjects can be informed concerning their lipid profile and
efficacy of their current statin use. Participation serves to further
investigate the relation of statins and potentially beneficial binding of apoB
on erythrocytes.