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Oral PCSK9-inhibitor effectively lowers blood cholesterol; find studies

DTMT Network

In what could be a possible game-changer in the treatment of lowering blood cholesterol levels using PCSK9-inhibitors, two new studies have found that when given in the oral form, they reduced the concentration of Low-Density-Lipids (LDL) in blood.

LDL is responsible for fat deposition in the bloodstream resulting in blockage in the blood vessels.

The studies were reported during the recently concluded scientific sessions of the American Heart Association.

PCSK9 inhibitor medicines work by blocking a liver protein that helps to destroy LDL cholesterol receptors on the surface of cells.

These receptors are responsible for transporting the cholesterol from the blood to the liver for processing.

In the first study conducted among healthy male volunteers aged between 18-50 years of age were given PSK inhibitor (MK-0616) up to 300mg per day once daily.

The results showed that MK-0616 reduced PCSK9 protein by more than 90% against the baseline level.

PCSK9 protein contributes to high LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.

The second study was conducted among male and female volunteers aged between 18-65 years, who had have been taking statin medications to control their cholesterol levels for at least three months.

These patients were given 10-20 mg of MK-0616 once a day orally in addition to the statin therapy that they were already receiving.

The researchers in the study found that MK-0616 lowered participants’ blood cholesterol by approximately 65% from baseline levels after 14 days of treatment, while in patients who were given placebo the reduction was found to be 5% compared to baseline level.

Initial results are encouraging, however, more research is needed given the “limited clinical experience with the molecule”, they said.

Currently, the patients need to take PCSK9-inhibitors through injections once every two to four weeks.

 


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