OBJECTIVEPatients with coronary artery disease (CAD, stenosis between 50% - 70% evidenced by coronary angiography) were treated with atorvastatin 40 mg (n = 19) or atorvastatin 10 mg in combination with ezetimibe 10 mg (n = 23). Blood lipid profile and metalloproteinases were monitored up to 3 months.

METHODSCholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), liver function, renal function, creatine kinase, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 were measured at baseline and at 1 month and 3 months post therapy.

RESULTS(1) At 3 months, LDL-C was similarly reduced in monotherapy group [(1.94 +/- 0.49) mmol/L, 37.82% reduction compared to baseline] and in combined therapy group [(1.92 +/- 0.54) mmol/L, 38.26% reduction compared to baseline]. (2) AST, ALT, renal function and creatine kinase remained unchanged post various therapy (all P > 0.05). (3) MMP-2, MMP-9 significantly decreased and TIMP-1 significantly increased at 3 months compared to baseline in monotherapy group but these parameters remained unchanged in combined therapy group.

CONCLUSIONBoth therapy regimens were well tolerated and similarly effectively reduced blood lipids and 40 mg atorvastatin monotherapy regimen is superior to atorvastatin 10 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg regimen in improving metalloproteinases parameters.