TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid/progesterone antagonist, on HDL cholesterol, HDL particle concentration, and HDL function
AU - Page, Stephanie T.
AU - Krauss, Ronald M.
AU - Gross, Coleman
AU - Ishida, Brian
AU - Heinecke, Jay W.
AU - Tang, Chongren
AU - Amory, John K.
AU - Schaefer, Peter M.
AU - Cox, Cheryl J.
AU - Kane, John
AU - Purnell, Jonathan Q.
AU - Weinstein, Richard L.
AU - Vaisar, Tomaš
PY - 2012/5
Y1 - 2012/5
N2 - Context: Mifepristone is a glucocorticoid and progestin antagonist under investigation for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome. Mifepristone decreases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in treated patients, but the clinical significance of this is unclear because recent studies suggest that functional properties of HDL predict cardiovascular disease status better than does HDL-C concentration. Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize the impact of mifepristone administration on HDL particle concentration and function. Design and Setting: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial at a single-site, clinical research center. Participants: Thirty healthy postmenopausal female volunteers participated in the study. Intervention: Individuals were randomized to receive daily oral mifepristone (600 mg) or placebo for 6 wk. Main Outcome Measures: We measured HDL-C, serum HDL particle concentration, and HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux by treatment group. Results: As expected, ACTH, cortisol, estradiol, and testosterone levels increased in the mifepristone group. Mifepristone treatment decreased HDL-C and HDL particle concentration by 26 and 25%, respectively, but did not alter pre-β HDL concentration. In contrast, the serum HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux decreased with mifepristone treatment by only 12%, resulting in an effective increase of the efflux capacity per HDL particle. No changes were observed in cholesterol ester transfer protein or lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity. Conclusions: Treatment with mifepristone reduced HDL-C, HDL particle concentration, and serum HDL cholesterol efflux in postmenopausal women. However, on a per particle basis, the efflux capacity of serum HDL increased. These observations support the concept that a decrease in HDL-C may not represent proportional impairment of HDL function.
AB - Context: Mifepristone is a glucocorticoid and progestin antagonist under investigation for the treatment of Cushing's syndrome. Mifepristone decreases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in treated patients, but the clinical significance of this is unclear because recent studies suggest that functional properties of HDL predict cardiovascular disease status better than does HDL-C concentration. Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize the impact of mifepristone administration on HDL particle concentration and function. Design and Setting: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial at a single-site, clinical research center. Participants: Thirty healthy postmenopausal female volunteers participated in the study. Intervention: Individuals were randomized to receive daily oral mifepristone (600 mg) or placebo for 6 wk. Main Outcome Measures: We measured HDL-C, serum HDL particle concentration, and HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux by treatment group. Results: As expected, ACTH, cortisol, estradiol, and testosterone levels increased in the mifepristone group. Mifepristone treatment decreased HDL-C and HDL particle concentration by 26 and 25%, respectively, but did not alter pre-β HDL concentration. In contrast, the serum HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux decreased with mifepristone treatment by only 12%, resulting in an effective increase of the efflux capacity per HDL particle. No changes were observed in cholesterol ester transfer protein or lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity. Conclusions: Treatment with mifepristone reduced HDL-C, HDL particle concentration, and serum HDL cholesterol efflux in postmenopausal women. However, on a per particle basis, the efflux capacity of serum HDL increased. These observations support the concept that a decrease in HDL-C may not represent proportional impairment of HDL function.
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U2 - 10.1210/jc.2011-2813
DO - 10.1210/jc.2011-2813
M3 - Article
C2 - 22399518
AN - SCOPUS:84860779643
SN - 0021-972X
VL - 97
SP - 1598
EP - 1605
JO - Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
JF - Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
IS - 5
ER -