Comparing the effect of lovastatin and exercise on serum lipid profile in hyperlipidaemic patients

Abstract

Background: Hyperlipidaemic is a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, statins, life style modification and diet have been used to treat hyperlipidaemia. Aim: The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of lovastatin and exercise on hyperlipidaemic patients. Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 80 patients over 30 years old, whose lipid profile was HDL ≤35 mg/dl, LDL ≥160 mg/dl, triglyceride ≥200 mg/dl, and cholesterol ≥200. At first, 96 hyperlipidemic patients were included in this study, 7 out of them were excluded because of HTN (hypertension) and HLP (hyperlipidaemia) and 9 due to diabetes. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the first group took lovastatin 40 mg daily, the second group was instructed to walk 35 minutes a day, 3 days a week. After 6 weeks trial, data were analyzed using t-test, Wilcoxon signed sample test, Kolomogorou-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney test, and Leveus test. Results: The average age was 55.18±9.9. 59 out of 80 (73.7%) were men and 21 were women (26.3%). The average age of group 1(with lovastin) was 55.12±8.4 years and in group 2 (exercise) was 55.35±9.2. The average decrease in TG level in lovastatin treated (I) and subjected to exercise (II) groups was 21.4 mg/dl and 20.5 mg/dl (P<0.2) respectively. Cholesterol decrease in two groups was 41.3±44.3 mg/dl and 1.57±41.8 mg/dl (P<0.001) respectively. The average decrease in LDL level in I and II groups was 35.82±34.1and 8.55±28.1 (P<0.001).whereas, an average increase was shown in HCL level: 5.45±14.4mg/dl and 0.4±12.3 mg/dl (P-value = 0.09) respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that exercise could reduce LDL, but lovastatin can reduce total cholesterol, TG and can increase HDL. Therefore in the management of hyperlipidaemia, exercise should be combined with lovastatin therapy to achieve a better outcome.

Keywords: Hyperlipidaemia, lovastatin, exercise, HDL, LDL, triglyceride