Promising new drug reduces risk of harmful cholesterol

Domains – Agencies

A study on the benefits of a new drug, called pembedic acid, could help reduce the risk of harmful cholesterol, cardiovascular obstruction and heart attack.

According to the study, the new drug reduces the proportion of cholesterol in the blood of people who continue to increase despite taking other drugs such as statins, according to Sky News.

Scientists suggest that the new treatment could replace statins, especially for people who experience the side effects of these drugs. The research was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The researchers say they have asked British and US drug control agencies to approve the circulation of Pembeic acid loans.

Why is cholesterol a problem?
Cardiovascular disease kills an estimated 150,000 people in Britain alone each year.
The bad cholesterol is one of the main causes of heart disease because it causes the formation of deposits in the blood vessels. It is so narrow and therefore easy to block.

This blockage can be lethal and prevent the vessels from carrying oxygen to the heart and brain, causing heart attacks or strokes.

To avoid this risk and lower cholesterol, you can reduce your intake of saturated fat, a healthy diet and regular exercise.

But this system may not be useful to everyone.

Some genetic factors push them to increase their levels of harmful cholesterol, and this is not related to the lifestyle or foods they eat.

Millions of people around the world take statins to reduce their harmful cholesterol.

However, the reported adverse effects of these drugs and the number of times these drugs are prescribed to patients, sometimes exaggerated, give rise to considerable debate.

What about the new property?
The new drug works to stop a major enzyme in the body that produces cholesterol.

"In general, statins play an important role in reducing cholesterol," says Professor Sir Nils Samani of the British Heart Foundation. However, the new drug may be useful for people who can not use it or who need other medicines to get cholesterol to the desired level. "

"Research suggests that pembedic acid can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke without significant side effects."

What does the study suggest?
The study involved more than 1,000 people with cardiovascular disease or cholesterol elevation who were already taking statins.
Pembedic acid tablets were administered to these people every day for one year, as well as regular medications.

Another 700 people received placebo or alternative therapy, as well as regular medications.

Three months later, the researchers found a 17% decrease in LDL cholesterol in the group taking pembedic acid tablets compared to the placebo group with other treatments.

"Pembedic acid may be another addition to the arsenal of cholesterol-lowering treatments available to patients," said Professor Kozik Ray of Imperial College London.

"We have a new class of drugs that can be prescribed to patients taking statins, and can help lower cholesterol levels and, hence, the risk of heart attack and stroke," he said. -he declares.

Are there any side effects?
Since each drug has side effects, it is up to the patient and the doctor to assess the individual benefits and risks.

The authors report that the proportion of side effects was similar between the group that took the pembedic acid tablets and the group that did not take them.

One of the side effects appeared in those who took the new drug, gout.

People refrained from taking the new drug because of its side effects, and they were larger than the placebo group.

Unlike statins, researchers say that it only works in the liver and can not reach the muscles.

Some scientists are waiting for the new drug not to cause some of the side effects that occur in those who consume statins.
But others are not sure and further research is needed to make sure this is correct and to determine who can be helped by the new drug.

Will it reduce heart attacks and strokes?
The latest, most recent studies suggest that pembedic acid can lower LDL cholesterol, but it is unclear what time it will take, or whether it will help reduce the number of heart attacks and strokes.

Professor Jane Armitage, from Oxford University, described the recent results as "promising".

"Genetic studies can not tell us if the drug will be safe for a large group of people," said Jane Armitage.

A clearer picture of the safety and effectiveness of the drug will appear once the long-term test is completed, by examining the number of heart attacks and strokes occurring during of the evolution of the new drug.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates the circulation of drugs, will review the data as soon as it is available in a few years.