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news.Results of new study examining AstraZeneca's cholesterol drug Crestor demonstrated that the drug slowed the build up of plaque, but failed to reduce the thickening of arteries in middle aged patients.
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The study, using ultrasound technology, found that as well as lowering cholesterol Crestor is also effective at halting early changes in the blood vessels that can lead to atherosclerosis. Crestor is a statin that works to lower levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood.
The research involved people with moderately elevated cholesterol levels who didn't qualify for treatment under national guidelines.
Participants all had minimal thickening of their carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, and were considered at low risk for having a heart attack or dying from a heart-related event based on their age and other risk factors.
Over a two-year period, the therapy lowered low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol, by 49% and increased high density lipoprotein, or “good” cholesterol, by 8%. Triglycerides were reduced by 16% and the progression of artery thickness was halted.
Crestor arrested the development of artery thickening overall and in all 12 sites of the carotid artery that were measured. The drug was well tolerated and showed a similar safety profile to the placebo.