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Dyslipidemia Research Paper

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INTRODUCTION Dyslipidemia is a medical condition of disordered lipid metabolism in the body. Three characteristics of this disorder are elevated serum levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and low levels of High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). This disorder is seen at all ages, and its etiology is either genetic or of lifestyle choices (1). Therapy has included statins, niacin treatment, and/or a combination of both. Extended-release and immediate-release niacin are used as significant therapy treatments to improve all key lipid subclass conditions in dyslipidemia. However, side effects often occur with high doses of niacin, which may lead to discontinued use (1). This paper will review the effects of …show more content…

Statins have been used to improve serum lipid levels, but are not effective on every lipid subclass alone. Literature supports extended-release niacin’s effectiveness on improving lipid subclass levels, additionally with statins, or alone. The studies in this review support such evidence. Evidence supports combined niacin/statin treatment therapy significantly lowered LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, alipoprotein a, and lipoprotein B, while raising HDL, and Lipoprotein A-1. Evidence also showed that statins are, specifically, more effective in lowering LDL, VLDL, lipoprotein B, and total cholesterol (10). Niacin, however, is more effective at increasing HDL cholesterol, and alipoprotein a, when used alone (10). Another benefit of niacin was the effect it had on lipoprotein particle size. Evidence from the studies showed that niacin and statin treatment effectively increased both LDL-C and HDL-C particle size, while decreasing LDL-C concentration, and increasing HDL-C concentration (3). Most of the participants in these studies ages ranged from early adulthood through late adulthood, but dyslipidemia, and the effect of ER-niacin treatment can be effective for use at any age. Such niacin benefits induce cardio-protective measures, and help decrease coronary artery disease risk, and ultimately congestive heart failure. ER-Niacin has been shown to also to slow the progression of, and may promote the regression of atherosclerosis in dyslipidemia patients on statin therapy (6). The safety of niacin was also considered throughout each study. Overall, treatment therapy of niacin is considered safe, but the flushing side effect contributed to participants withdrawing from study participation, especially when administered high doses (1-2g). Overall, niacin and statins, can aid as dyslipidemia treatments, but only as secondary measures to exercise and healthy lifestyle

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