New drug for good cholesterol

Researchers report that an experimental new drug might possibly reduce the risk of heart disease by more than a third by raising the levels of the so-called good cholesterol (HDL). HDL or High-density lipoprotein is known as 'good' cholesterol as it prevents clogging in the arteries. On the other hand LDL - Low-density lipoprotein or 'bad' cholesterol blocks the arteries. People with high HDL levels have a lower risk of heart disease. High LDL on the other hand encourages fatty deposits in the arteries which ultimately get blocked and result in serious heart problems. The new drug known as a CETP inhibitor blocks the cholesterol ester transfer protein which is known to reduce HDL. CETP is important as a key role player in HDL metabolism. In fact Asian populations seem to have high HDL levels thanks to a genetically deficient CETP. Researchers have been striving to find drugs that could boost HDL levels as this could prove to be a breakthrough in reducing heart attacks. One such study was conducted on 198 healthy men and women with mildly elevated blood fat levels at the Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands. They were divided into four groups. Three groups took various doses of the CETP inhibitor while those in the fourth group took an inactive placebo. The levels of LDL and HDL were measured at various points of time throughout the 12-week study. Within the first four weeks of taking the drug those taking the highest dose had an increase of 34% in the HDL levels and a 74% decrease in LDL levels. These results seem promising but further studies are required to correlate the increase in HDL cholesterol with reduction in coronary artery disease risk.