Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Are All Statins the Same?

Focus on the Efficacy and Tolerability of Pitavastatin

  • Review Article
  • Published:
American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Pitavastatin is the newest member of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor family and is approved as adjunctive therapy to diet to reduce elevated levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein (Apo) B, and triglycerides and to increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in adult patients with primary hyperlipidemia or mixed dyslipidemia. Pitavastatin undergoes minimal metabolism by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and, therefore, has a low propensity for drug-drug interactions with drugs metabolized by CYP enzymes or the CYP3A4 substrate grapefruit juice. In clinical trials, pitavastatin potently and consistently reduced serum levels of total, LDL, and non-HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia where diet and other nonpharmacological measures were inadequate. Mean reductions from baseline in serum total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were 21–32%, 30–45%, and 10–30%, respectively. Moreover, a consistent trend towards increased HDL cholesterol levels of 3–10% was seen. Long-term extension studies show that the beneficial effects of pitavastatin are maintained for up to 2 years. Pitavastatin produces reductions from baseline in serum total and LDL cholesterol levels to a similar extent to those seen with the potent agent atorvastatin and to a greater extent than those seen with simvastatin or pravastatin.

In the majority of other studies comparing pitavastatin and atorvastatin, no significant differences in the favorable effects on lipid parameters were seen, although pitavastatin was consistently associated with trends towards increased HDL cholesterol levels. Pitavastatin also produces beneficial effects on lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome without deleterious effects on markers of glucose metabolism, such as fasting blood glucose levels or proportion of glycosylated hemoglobin. Pitavastatin appears to exert a number of beneficial effects on patients at risk of cardiovascular events independent of lipid lowering. In the JAPAN-ACS (Japan Assessment of Pitavastatin and Atorvastatin in Acute Coronary Syndrome) study, pitavastatin was non-inferior to atorvastatin at reducing plaque volume in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Further beneficial effects, including favorable effects on the size and composition of atherosclerotic plaques, improvements in cardiovascular function, and improvements in markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and renal function, have been demonstrated in a number of small studies. Pitavastatin is generally well tolerated in hyperlipidemic patients with or without type 2 diabetes, with the most common treatment-related adverse events being musculoskeletal or gastrointestinal in nature. Increases in plasma creatine kinase levels were seen in <5% of pitavastatin recipients and the incidence of myopathy or rhabdomyolysis was extremely low. In summary, pitavastatin, the latest addition to the statin family, produces potent and consistent beneficial effects on lipids, is well tolerated, and has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. The combination of a potent decrease in total and LDL cholesterol levels and increase in HDL cholesterol levels suggest that pitavastatin may produce substantial cardiovascular protection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Table I
Fig. 1
Table II
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Evaluated by M-mode ultrasonography and determined by the stiffness index, namely, stiffness β. Stiffness β = ln(SBP/DBP)/[(Ds-Dd)/Dd] where Ds and Dd are the end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters of the common carotid artery, respectively, and SBP and DBP are the systolic and diastolic BP, respectively. Stiffness βs are expressed as means of both common carotid artery measurements.

References

  1. European Heart Network. European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics. 2008 [online]. Available from URL: http: //www.ehnheart.org/cdv-statistics.html [Accessed 2010 Nov 10].

  2. European Heart Network. European Cardiovascular Disease Statistics 2008. 2008 [online]. Available from URL: http: //www.ehnheart.org/component/ downloads/downloads/683.html [Accessed 2010 Nov 10].

  3. Kuulasmaa K, Tunstall-Pedoe H, Dobson A, et al. Estimation of contribution of changes in classic risk factors to trends in coronary-event rates across the WHO MONICA Project populations. Lancet 2000 Feb 26; 355 (9205): 675–87.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Yusuf S, Hawken S, Ounpuu S, et al. Effect of potentially modifiable risk factors associated with myocardial infarction in 52 countries (the INTER-HEART study): case-control study. Lancet 2004 Sep 11–17; 364 (9438): 937–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Graham I, Atar D, Borch-Johnsen K, et al. European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice: executive summary. Fourth Joint Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and Other Societies on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice (constituted by representatives of nine societies and by invited experts). Eur Heart J 2007 Oct; 28 (19): 2375–414.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Baigent C, Keech A, Kearney PM, et al. Efficacy and safety of cholesterol-lowering treatment: prospective meta-analysis of data from 90,056 participants in 14 randomised trials of statins. Lancet 2005 Oct 8; 366 (9493): 1267–78.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Nissen SE, Nicholls SJ, Sipahi I, et al. Effect of very high-intensity statin therapy on regression of coronary atherosclerosis: the ASTEROID trial. JAMA 2006 Apr 5; 295 (13): 1556–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Nissen SE, Tuzcu EM, Schoenhagen P, et al. Effect of intensive compared with moderate lipid-lowering therapy on progression of coronary atherosclerosis: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2004 Mar 3; 291 (9): 1071–80.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Cholesterol Treatment Trialistsś (CTT) Collaboration. Efficacy and safety of more intensive lowering of LDL cholesterol: a meta-analysis of data from 170 000 participants in 26 randomised trials. Lancet 2010 Nov 13; 376 (9753): 1670–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Kowa Pharmaceuticals America Inc. Livalo (pitavastatin) tablets: full prescribing information. 2009 [online]. Available from URL: http: //www.livalorx. com/documents/LIVALOpitavastatinprescribinginformationV1_220100131.pdf [Accessed 2010 Nov 8].

  11. Aoki T, Nishimura H, Nakagawa S, et al. Pharmacological profile of a novel synthetic inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Arzneimittelforsch 1997 Aug; 47 (8): 904–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Morikawa S, Umetani M, Nakagawa S, et al. Relative induction of mRNA for HMG CoA reductase and LDL receptor by five different HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in cultured human cells. J Atheroscler Thromb 2000; 7 (3): 138–44.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Suzuki H, Aoki T, Tamaki T, et al. Hypolipidemic effect of NK-104, a potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, in guinea pigs. Atherosclerosis 1999 Oct; 146 (2): 259–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Nakagawa S, Tanabe S, Tamaki T, et al. Effect of NK-104, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor on lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells. Jpn Pharmacol Ther 2001; 29 (1): 51–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Yanagita T, Hara E, Yotsumoto H, et al. NK-104, a potent new 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitor, enhances posttranslational catabolism of apolipoprotein B-100 and inhibits secretion of apolipoprotein B-100 and triacylglycerols from HepG2 cells. Curr Therap Res 1999; 60: 423–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Maejima T, Yamazaki H, Aoki T, et al. Effect of pitavastatin on apolipoprotein A-I production in HepG2 cell. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2004 Nov 12; 324 (2): 835–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Kibayashi E, Urakaze M, Kobashi C, et al. Inhibitory effect of pitavastatin (NK-104) on the C-reactive-protein-induced interleukin-8 production in human aortic endothelial cells. Clin Sci (Lond) 2005 Jun; 108 (6): 515–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hiraoka M, Nitta N, Nagai M, et al. MCP-1-induced enhancement of THP-1 adhesion to vascular endothelium was modulated by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor through RhoA GTPase-, but not ERK1/2-dependent pathway. Life Sci 2004 Jul 30; 75 (11): 1333–41.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Morikawa S, Takabe W, Mataki C, et al. Global analysis of RNA expression profile in human vascular cells treated with statins. J Atheroscler Thromb 2004; 11 (2): 62–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Markle RA, Han J, Summers BD, et al. Pitavastatin alters the expression of thrombotic and fibrinolytic proteins in human vascular cells. J Cell Biochem 2003 Sep 1; 90 (1): 23–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Morikawa S, Takabe W, Mataki C, et al. The effect of statins on mRNA levels of genes related to inflammation, coagulation, and vascular constriction in HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). J Atheroscler Thromb 2002; 9 (4): 178–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Masamura K, Oida K, Kanehara H, et al. Pitavastatin-induced thrombomodulin expression by endothelial cells acts via inhibition of small G proteins of the Rho family. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2003 Mar 1; 23 (3): 512–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Suzuki H, Kobayashi H, Sato F, et al. Plaque-stabilizing effect of pitavastatin in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits. J Atheroscler Thromb 2003; 10 (2): 109–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Maeda K, Yasunari K, Sato EF, et al. Enhanced oxidative stress in neutrophils from hyperlipidemic guinea pig. Atherosclerosis 2005 Jul; 181 (1): 87–92.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Hayashi T, Rani PJ, Fukatsu A, et al. A new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, pitavastatin remarkably retards the progression of high cholesterol induced atherosclerosis in rabbits. Atherosclerosis 2004 Oct; 176 (2): 255–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Wang J, Tokoro T, Matsui K, et al. Pitavastatin at low dose activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase through PI3K-AKT pathway in endothelial cells. Life Sci 2005 Mar 25; 76 (19): 2257–68.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kuzuya M, Cheng XW, Sasaki T, et al. Pitavastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, blocks vascular smooth muscle cell populated-collagen lattice contraction. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2004 Jun; 43 (6): 808–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Katsumoto M, Shingu T, Kuwashima R, et al. Biphasic effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, pitavastatin, on vascular endothelial cells and angiogenesis. Circ J 2005 Dec; 69 (12): 1547–55.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Nakano K, Egashira K. Pitavastatin has most potent pro-healing effects on endothelial cells and inhibitory effects on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells: a potential treatment strategy for drug-eluting stents [general presentation No. 21]. 41st annual Scientific Meeting of the Japan Atherosclerosis Society; 2009 17–18 July; Yamaguchi.

  30. Nicholson AC, Hajjar DP, Zhou X, et al. Anti-adipogenic action of pitavastatin occurs through coordinate regulation of PPAR-gamma and Pref-1 expression. Br J Pharmacol 2007; 151: 807–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Fujino H, Kojima J, Yamada Y, et al. Studies on the metabolic fate of NK-104, a new inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase (4): interspecies variation in laboratory animals and humans. Xenobio Metabol Dispos 1999; 14: 79–91.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Kimata H, Fujino H, Koide T, et al. Studies on the metabolic fate of NK-104, a new inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase (1): absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion in rats. Xenobio Metabol Dispos 1998; 13: 484–98.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Nakaya N, Uebaba K, Takebe M, et al. A phase 1 clinical study of a novel HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, NK-104 (pitavastatin): results of single and 7-day repeated oral administration studies in healthy adult male volunteers. J Clin Ther Med 2001; 17: 741–66.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Kojima J, Ohshima T, Yoneda M, et al. Effect of biliary excretion on the pharmacokinetics of pitavastatin in dogs. Xenobio Metabol Dispos 2001; 16: 497–502.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Ando H, Tsuruoka S, Yanagihara H, et al. Effects of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of pitavastatin and atorvastatin. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2005 Nov; 60 (5): 494–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Nakagawa S, Hounslow N. Pitavastatin is not subject to clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions when administered with CYP3A4 inhibitors in healthy volunteers [abstract P5413]. ESC Congress 2009: Annual Congress of the European Society of Cardiology; 2009; Barcelona.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Hirano M, Maeda K, Shitara Y, et al. Contribution of OATP2 (OATP1B1) and OATP8 (OATP1B3) to the hepatic uptake of pitavastatin in humans. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2004 Oct; 311 (1): 139–46.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Shimada S, Fujino H, Morikawa T, et al. Uptake mechanism of pitavastatin, a new inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, in rat hepatocytes. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2003; 18 (4): 245–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Hasunuma T, Nakamura M, Yachi T, et al. The drug-drug interactions of pitavastatin (NK-104), a novel HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor and cyclosporine. J Clin Ther Med 2003; 19 (4): 381–9.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Choi CI, Bae JW, Lee HI, et al. Effects of SLCO1B1 genetic polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of pitavastatin in Koreans [abstract]. 14th Congress of the European Hematology Association, 2009; Berlin. Haematologica; 2009: 79.

  41. Chung JY, Cho JY, Yu KS, et al. Effect of OATP1B1 (SLCO1B1) variant alleles on the pharmacokinetics of pitavastatin in healthy volunteers. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2005 Oct; 78 (4): 342–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Deng JW, Song IS, Shin HJ, et al. The effect of SLCO 1B 1*15 on the disposition of pravastatin and pitavastatin is substrate dependent: the contribution of transporting activity changes by SLCO1B1*15. Pharmacogenet Genomics 2008 May; 18 (5): 424–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Ieiri I, Suwannakul S, Maeda K, et al. SLCO1B1 (OATP1B1, an uptake transporter) and ABCG2 (BCRP, an efflux transporter) variant alleles and pharmacokinetics of pitavastatin in healthy volunteers. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2007 Nov; 82 (5): 541–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Wen J, Xiong Y. OATP1B1 388A>G polymorphism and pharmacokinetics of pitavastatin in Chinese healthy volunteers. J Clin Pharm Ther 2010 Feb; 35 (1): 99–104.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Hui CK, Cheung BM, Lau GK. Pharmacokinetics of pitavastatin in subjects with Child-Pugh A and B cirrhosis. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2005 Mar; 59 (3): 291–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Nakaya N, Tateno M, Nakamura T, et al. Pharmacokinetics of repeated dose NK-104 (pitavastatin) in healthy elderly and non-elderly volunteers. J Clin Therap Med 2001; 17 (6): 957–70.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Budinski D, Arneson V, Hounslow N, et al. Pitavastatin compared with atorvastatin in primary hypercholesterolemia or combined dyslipidemia. Clin Lipidol 2009; 4 (3): 291–302.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Koshiyama H, Taniguchi A, Tanaka K, et al. Effects of pitavastatin on lipid profiles and high-sensitivity CRP in Japanese subjects with hypercholesterolemia: Kansai Investigation of Statin for Hyperlipidemic Intervention in Metabolism and Endocrinology (KISHIMEN) investigators. J Atheroscler Thromb 2008 Dec; 15 (6): 345–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Lee SH, Chung N, Kwan J, et al. Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of pitavastatin and atorvastatin: an 8-week, multicenter, randomized, openlabel, dose-titration study in Korean patients with hypercholesterolemia. Clin Ther 2007 Nov; 29 (11): 2365–73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Ose L, Budinski D, Hounslow N, et al. Comparison of pitavastatin with simvastatin in primary hypercholesterolaemia or combined dyslipidaemia. Curr Med Res Opin 2009 Nov; 25 (11): 2755–64.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Park S, Kang HJ, Rim SJ, et al. A randomized, open-label study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin compared with simvastatin in Korean patients with hypercholesterolemia. Clin Ther 2005 Jul; 27 (7): 1074–82.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Saito Y, Yamada N, Teramoto T, et al. A randomized, double-blind trial comparing the efficacy and safety of pitavastatin versus pravastatin in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. Atherosclerosis 2002 Jun; 162 (2): 373–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Sansanayudh N, Wongwiwatthananukit S, Putwai P, et al. Comparative efficacy and safety of low-dose pitavastatin versus atorvastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Ann Pharmacother 2010 Mar; 44 (3): 415–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Yokote K, Bujo H, Hanaoka H, et al. Multicenter collaborative randomized parallel group comparative study of pitavastatin and atorvastatin in Japanese hypercholesterolemic patients: collaborative study on hypercholesterolemia drug intervention and their benefits for atherosclerosis prevention (CHIBA study). Atherosclerosis 2008 Dec; 201 (2): 345–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Yoshitomi Y, Ishii T, Kaneki M, et al. Efficacy of a low dose of pitavastatin compared with atorvastatin in primary hyperlipidemia: results of a 12-week, open label study. J Atheroscler Thromb 2006 Apr; 13 (2): 108–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Expert Panel on Detection Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive summary of the Third Report of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA 2001 May 16; 285 (19): 2486–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. European Atherosclerosis Society. The recognition and management of hyperlipidaemia in adults: a policy statement of the European Atherosclerosis Society. Eur Heart J 1988 May; 9 (5): 571–600.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Fukutomi T, Takeda Y, Suzuki S, et al. High density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I are persistently elevated during long-term treatment with pitavastatin, a new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. Int J Cardiol 2010 Jun 11; 141 (3): 320–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Noji Y, Higashikata T, Inazu A, et al. Long-term treatment with pitavastatin (NK-104), a new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, of patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Atherosclerosis 2002 Jul; 163 (1): 157–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Ose L, Budinski D, Hounslow N, et al. Long-term treatment with pitavastatin is effective and well tolerated by patients with primary hypercholesterolemia or combined dyslipidemia. Atherosclerosis 2010 May; 210 (1): 202–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Kurihara Y, Douzono T, Kawakita K, et al. A large-scale, long-term, prospective post-marketing surveillance of pitavastatin (LIVALO® tablet): LIVALO Effectiveness and Safety (LIVES) study. Jpn Pharmacol Ther 2008; 36 (8): 709–31.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Teramoto T, Shimano H, Yokote K, et al. Effects of pitavastatin (LIVALO Tablet) on high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in hypercholesterolemia. J Atheroscler Thromb 2009 Oct; 16 (5): 654–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Kajinami K, Koizumi J, Ueda K, et al. Effects of NK-104, a new hydroxy-methylglutaryl-coenzyme reductase inhibitor, on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Hokuriku NK-104 Study Group. Am J Cardiol 2000 Jan 15; 85 (2): 178–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Kawano M, Nagasaka S, Yagyu H, et al. Pitavastatin decreases plasma prebeta1-HDL concentration and might promote its disappearance rate in hypercholesterolemic patients. J Atheroscler Thromb 2008 Feb; 15 (1): 41–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Majima T, Shimatsu A, Komatsu Y, et al. Short-term effects of pitavastatin on biochemical markers of bone turnover in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Intern Med 2007; 46 (24): 1967–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Matsumoto T, Fujita M, Sawamura T, et al. Pitavastatin reduces lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 ligands in hypercholesterolemic humans. Lipids 2010 Apr; 45 (4): 329–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Mizuguchi Y, Oishi Y, Miyoshi H, et al. Impact of statin therapy on left ventricular function and carotid arterial stiffness in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Circ J 2008 Apr; 72 (4): 538–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Ohbayashi H, Miyazawa C, Miyamoto K, et al. Pitavastatin improves plasma pentraxin 3 and arterial stiffness in atherosclerotic patients with hypercholesterolemia. J Atheroscler Thromb 2009 Aug; 16 (4): 490–500.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Sakabe K, Fukuda N, Fukuda Y, et al. Comparisons of short- and intermediateterm effects of pitavastatin versus atorvastatin on lipid profiles, fibrinolytic parameter, and endothelial function. Int J Cardiol 2008 Mar 28; 125 (1): 136–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Inami N, Nomura S, Shouzu A, et al. Effects of pitavastatin on adiponectin in patients with hyperlipidemia. Pathophysiol Haemost Thromb 2007; 36 (1): 1–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Kawai T, Tokui M, Funae O, et al. Efficacy of pitavastatin, anew HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, on lipid and glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2005 Dec; 28 (12): 2980–1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Monden T, Matsumura M, Kawagoe Y, et al. An open-label, crossover study of the effects of rosuvastatin and pitavastatin on lipid profiles and inflammation markers in patients with diabetes [abstract P2–325]. 90th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society; 2008; San Francisco (CA).

    Google Scholar 

  73. Motomura T, Okamoto M, Kitamura T, et al. Effects of pitavastatin on serum lipids and high sensitivity C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetic patients. J Atheroscler Thromb 2009 Oct; 16 (5): 546–52.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Nomura S, Inami N, Shouzu A, et al. The effects of pitavastatin, eicosapentaenoic acid and combined therapy on platelet-derived microparticles and adiponectin in hyperlipidemic, diabetic patients. Platelets 2009 Feb; 20 (1): 16–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Sasaki J, Ikeda Y, Kuribayashi T, et al. A 52-week, randomized, open-label, parallel-group comparison of the tolerability and effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and glucose metabolism in Japanese patients with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and glucose intolerance. Clin Ther 2008 Jun; 30 (6): 1089–101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Sone H, Takahashi A, Shimano H, et al. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor decreases small dense low-density lipoprotein and remnant-like particle cholesterol in patients with type-2 diabetes. Life Sci 2002 Oct 4; 71 (20): 2403–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Tokuno A, Hirano T, Hayashi T, et al. The effects of statin and fibrate on lowering small dense LDL-cholesterol in hyperlipidemic patients with type 2 diabetes. J Atheroscler Thromb 2007 Jun; 14 (3): 128–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Yamakawa T, Takano T, Tanaka S, et al. Influence of pitavastatin on glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Atheroscler Thromb 2008 Oct; 15 (5): 269–75.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Yokote K, Saito Y. Influence of statins on glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: subanalysis of the collaborative study on hypercholesterolemia drug intervention and their benefits for atherosclerosis prevention (CHIBA study). J Atheroscler Thromb 2009 Jun; 16 (3): 297–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Stender S, Hounslow N. Robust efficacy of pitavastatin and comparable safety to pravastatin. 15th International Symposium on Atherosclerosis; 2009; Boston (MA).

    Google Scholar 

  81. Nakamura T, Sato E, Fujiwara N, et al. Co-administration of ezetimibe enhances proteinuria-lowering effects of pitavastatin in chronic kidney disease patients partly via a cholesterol-independent manner. Pharmacol Res 2010 Jan; 61 (1): 58–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Ono K, Kawasaki M, Tanaka R, et al. Integrated backscatter and intimamedia thickness of the thoracic aorta evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography in hypercholesterolemic patients: effect of pitavastatin therapy. Ultrasound Med Biol 2009 Feb; 35 (2): 193–200.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Takashima H, Ozaki Y, Yasukawa T, et al. Impact of lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin, a new HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, on regression of coronary atherosclerotic plaque. Circ J 2007 Nov; 71 (11): 1678–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Hiro T, Kimura T, Morimoto T, et al. Effect of intensive statin therapy on regression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a multicenter randomized trial evaluated by volumetric intravascular ultrasound using pitavastatin versus atorvastatin (JAPAN-ACS [Japan assessment of pitavastatin and atorvastatin in acute coronary syndrome] study). J Am Coll Cardiol 2009 Jul 21; 54 (4): 293–302.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  85. Toi T, Taguchi I, Yoneda S, et al. Early effect of lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin on regression of coronary atherosclerotic plaque: comparison with atorvastatin. Circ J 2009 Aug; 73 (8): 1466–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Kojima T, Ono K, Tanaka R, et al. Effect of statin therapy on the thoracic aorta in hypercholerolemic patients evaluated by integrated backscatter and wall thickness with transesophageal echocardiography [abstract P4933]. ESC Congress 2008: Annual Congress of the European Society of Cardiology; 2008; Munich.

    Google Scholar 

  87. Nakamura T, Obata JE, Kitta Y, et al. Rapid stabilization of vulnerable carotid plaque within 1 month of pitavastatin treatment in patients with acute coronary syndrome. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2008 Apr; 51 (4): 365–71.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. Miyashita Y, Endo K, Saiki A, et al. Effects of pitavastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitor, on cardio-ankle vascular index in type 2 diabetic patients. J Atheroscler Thromb 2009 Oct; 16 (5): 539–45.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Nakamura T, Sugaya T, Kawagoe Y, et al. Effect of pitavastatin on urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein levels in patients with early diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes Care 2005 Nov; 28 (11): 2728–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Yoshida O, Kondo T, Kureishi-Bando Y, et al. Pitavastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, ameliorates endothelial function in chronic smokers. Circ J 2010 Jan; 74 (1): 195–202.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Aoyagi T, Nakamura F, Tomaru T, et al. Beneficial effects of pitavastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase inhibitor, on cardiac function in ischemic and nonischemic heart failure. Int Heart J 2008 Jan; 49 (1): 49–58.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Suzuki Y, Kaneko J, Ito H. Pitavastatin may improve cardiac function [abstract]. 69th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Circulation Society, March 19–21, 2005; Yokohama. Circulation Journal 2005 (69): 6.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Nakamura T, Sugaya T, Kawagoe Y, et al. Effect of pitavastatin on urinary liver-type fatty-acid-binding protein in patients with nondiabetic mild chronic kidney disease. Am J Nephrol 2006; 26 (1): 82–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Kimura K, Shimano H, Yokote K, et al. Effects of pitavastatin (LIVALO tablet) on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in hypercholesterolemic patients with chronic kidney disease: sub-analysis of the LIVALO Effectiveness and Safety (LIVES) Study. J Atheroscler Thromb Jun 30; 17 (6): 601–9.

  95. Hayashi T, Yokote K, Saito Y, et al. Pitavastatin: efficacy and safety in intensive lipid lowering. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2007 Oct; 8 (14): 2315–27.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Saito Y. Critical appraisal of the role of pitavastatin in treating dyslipidemias and achieving lipid goals. Vasc Health Risk Manag 2009; 5: 921–36.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  97. Saiki A, Murano T, Watanabe F, et al. Pitavastatin enhanced lipoprotein lipase expression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. J Atheroscler Thromb 2005; 12 (3): 163–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Hanyu O, Miida T, Obayashi K, et al. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mass in preheparin serum reflects insulin sensitivity. Atherosclerosis 2004 Jun; 174 (2): 385–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author thanks Anna Mett and Neil Reynolds of inScience Communications, a Wolters Kluwer business, for medical writing support that was funded by Jaba Recordati. The author has received honoraria from Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Servier, Bayer, and Novartis. The author has not received any funding relating this review. The author has no other conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Núcleo de Investigação Arterial, Medicina IV —, Hospital de Sta. Marta, CHLC, EPE —, Rua de Santa Marta, n° 50 1169-024, Lisboa, Portugal

    Pedro Marques da Silva

Authors
  1. Pedro Marques da Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pedro Marques da Silva.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

da Silva, P.M. Are All Statins the Same?. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 11, 93–107 (2011). https://doi.org/10.2165/11591190-000000000-00000

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/11591190-000000000-00000

Keywords

Search

Navigation