Inhibition of thromboxane biosynthesis and platelet function by simvastatin in type IIa hypercholesterolemia

Abstract Thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ) biosynthesis is enhanced in the majority of patients with type IIa hypercholesterolemia. Because simvastatin (a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor) was previously shown to reduce platelet aggregation and TXB 2 production ex vivo, we investigated TXA 2 biosynthesis and platelet function in 24 patients with type IIa hypercholesterolemia randomized to receive in a double-blind fashion simvastatin (20 mg/d) or placebo for 3 months. The urinary excretion of 11-dehydro-TXB 2 , largely a reflection of platelet TXA 2 production in vivo, was measured by a previously validated radioimmunoassay technique. Blood lipid levels and urinary 11-dehyd…