Effectiveness and Safety of Novel Nutraceutical Formulation Added to Ezetimibe in Statin-Intolerant Hypercholesterolemic Subjects with Moderate-to-High Cardiovascular Risk

Abstract

The effectiveness of statins in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular (CV) diseases has been widely proven. However, the onset of adverse events associated with their use prevents to achieve the therapeutic targets recommended by the guidelines (GL) for the management of dyslipidemia. In the event of statin intolerance, the GL recommend to use bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, and ezetimibe in monotherapy, but their benefits in improving lipid pattern are quite modest. This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness and safety of a nutraceutical compound (NC) associated with ezetimibe (EZE) on the lipid profile in statin-intolerant patients with moderate-to-high CV risk. Ninety-six statin-intolerant hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic subjects treated pharmacologically with EZE 10 mg daily were randomized in open label (n = 48) to take for 3 months a NC containing Monacolin-K (MK), Berberine Hydrochloride (BC), t-Resveratrol (RES), Quercetin (QUER), and Chromium (CH) in the form of a gastro-resistant tablet that improves enteric bioaccessibility and bioavailability of these substances. The control group (n = 48) took only EZE in monotherapy at the same dosage; both groups followed a standardized lipid-lowering diet. The total serum cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) levels were compared at the follow-up in both groups using Student's t-test. TC and LDL levels reduced in both groups, but were lower in the group treated with EZE + NC (−25.9% vs. −15%, P < .05 and −38.7% vs. −21.0%, P < .05, respectively). No changes were observed in either group regarding a decrease in TG (−9.4% vs. −11.7%, NS) and an increase in HDLC (+4.2% vs. +1.1%, NS). The AST, ALT, and CPK levels increased in the group treated with the EZE + NC compared to the control group, but were still within the acceptable range. There was no difference concerning the lipid-lowering treatment between gender, and no patient withdrew from the study. In the short term, the EZE + NC combination therapy is well tolerated and effective in improving TC and LDLC levels in statin-intolerant patients with moderate-to-high CV risk.

Introduction

The effectiveness of statins in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been widely proven.¹ However, the onset of short- and long-term adverse events (AE) associated with their use² prevents to achieve the therapeutic targets recommended by the international guidelines (GL) for the management of dyslipidemia.³ Statins are lipid-lowering drugs that effectively reduce atherogenic lipoproteins by inhibiting the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase enzyme. However, they can induce AE such as myalgia^4,5 and hepatotoxicity, characterized by an increase in creatinine phosphokinase (CPK)⁶ and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, respectively.

In detail, muscle and hepatotoxicity of statins are defined by an increase in CPK and/or AST and ALT levels, respectively, 5 and 3 times higher than their normal values. Fortunately, this happens only in a low percentage of cases of treated patients⁷ and, although its prevalence has decreased over the past few years from 25% to 30%⁸ to 10–15%,^3,9 statin intolerance cannot be underestimated. This is mainly due to the continuous GL updates³ and in the event of suspected statin intolerance is recommended statin rechallenge to confirm the possible AE. In detail, after a 4-week washout period, patients are treated with a lower dose of the same statin to check the recurrence of muscle symptoms that may be associated with another increase in CPK levels.

The same recommendations are applied to the liver profile, providing that the AST and ALT do not exceed the above cited baseline levels.¹⁰ The GL recommend that the physician be fully aware of the AE associated with statin therapy and be ready to manage them appropriately.³ In fact, although the AE disappear after stopping the statin therapy, many patients refuse other lipid-lowering pharmacological treatments because they are afraid of a new muscle or liver complications. However, this approach should be discouraged because it increases the CV risk of statin-intolerant patients.

Taking into consideration the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) target, if the statin intolerance is confirmed, the GL recommend using other lipid-lowering agents, such as bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, and ezetimibe, either in monotherapy or in combination. Commonly, a monotherapy with each of these treatments is safe and well tolerated, but the effect on the lipid profile is modest and only a slight reduction in LDLC levels is observed. With ezetimibe, the LDLC lowering ranges between 18% and 22%, while with a lipid-lowering combination approach, it can reach up to 42%.¹¹

In addition to the pharmacological therapy,^12,13 the diet treatment associated with lifestyle changes further reduces LDLC levels of 3–5%. However, the latter remained lacking for an effective CV prevention, especially in statin-intolerant patients with high CV risk. Over the past few years, many studies have evaluated the possibility of reducing hypercholesterolemia through dietary supplementation with nutraceutical compounds (NCs) that have proven to be effective and well tolerated. In this respect, NCs have become a valid alternative in the management of dyslipidemia for statin-intolerant subjects.^14,15

This study aims at evaluating the short-term safety of a combination treatment with ezetimibe and NC and its effectiveness on the lipid profile compared to ezetimibe alone in a group of hypertensives and hypercholesterolemic patients with statin intolerance and moderate-to-high CV risk.

Materials and Methods

An open-label randomized single-center clinical study with postmarketing surveillance was ruled out to assess the effectiveness and safety of the oral administration of a NC added to a pharmacological therapy with Ezetimibe (EZE) on the lipid profile of statin-intolerant hypertensive and hypercholesterolemic patients with moderate-to-high CV risk. This latter was calculated through the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) system.¹ In detail, 96 patients treated with EZE 10 mg daily were consecutively enrolled from our Hypertension Center from February 2017 to December 2018 and, after signing the inform consent, they were free to withdraw the study at any time. This study was approved by the local ethics committee.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

To be eligible for the study, candidates had to be 18 years of age or over and must to have LDLC (mean LDLC level: 162 mg/dL) not controlled in monotherapy with EZE. Statin intolerance has been confirmed through the rechallenge technique,³ and it was muscular in 54.1% (n = 52), hepatic in 16.6% (n = 16), and complete in 29.2% (n = 28) of cases. Exclusion criteria were secondary forms of hypertension, neoplastic or liver diseases, IV chronic stage heart or kidney failure, disabling diseases such as dementia or inability to cooperate, pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

Study design

After a 2-week run-in period, in addition to their EZE 10 mg therapy (one tablet in the evening after dinner), the patients in the combination therapy group (n = 48) were given one tablet daily of a NC namely Colenorm Cardio^®, in the evening after dinner. Colenorm Cardio is a NC containing 100 mg of Red Yeast Rice (RYR), which constituted 3 mg of Monacolin-K (MK), 100 mg of QUER, 50 mg of Berberine Hydrochloride (BC), 20 mg of t-Resveratrol (RES), 50 mcg of Chromium (CH), and 5.25 mg of Black Pepper (titrated 95% in Piperine [PIP]). The control group only took EZE 10 mg daily in monotherapy, one tablet in the evening after dinner. Patients underwent biochemical examinations twice: at the initial screening and at 3-month follow-up.

Data collection

The fasting total serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), CPK, and transaminase levels were measured through enzyme essay, whereas the LDLC was calculated through the Friedewald formula.¹⁶ Each patient had their systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure measured both during the initial examination and the follow-up using a sphygmomanometer in the seated position after a 5-min rest. The heart rate was measured simultaneously with the blood pressure. The body mass index was calculated by dividing weight (in kg) by height (in m) squared. Serum creatinine, uric acid, AST, ALT, and CPK levels were measured through enzyme essay, whereas the estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula.¹⁷

Patients were classified as smokers (≥1 cigarette a day) and diabetic if their baseline serum glucose in two measurements was ≥126 mg/dL or if they were in lipid-lowering therapy.

Statistical analysis

The continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and compared with Student's t-test results. The categorical variables were compared with the chi-square test. The continuous variables in the two groups were compared using the analysis of variance. The significance level was set at P < .05.

Results

General characteristics of the enrolled patients at the initial screening are shown in Table 1.

Table 1.

General Characteristics of the Population

Items	All subjects (n = 96)	E (n = 48)	E + NC (n = 48)	P value between groups
Age (years)	57.8 ± 9.0	57.1 ± 7.6	58.1 ± 10.3	NS
Males (%)	46	42	50	NS
BMI (kg/m²)	27.3 ± 4.3	27.0 ± 4.0	27.6 ± 4.6	NS
SBP (mmHg)	141.0 ± 6.0	140.5 ± 5.1	141.1 ± 6.9	NS
DBP (mmHg)	83.0 ± 4.9	83.9 ± 3.1	82.8 ± 6.3	NS
HR (bpm)	72.0 ± 7.3	73.0 ± 8.7	70.2 ± 5.4	NS
TC (mg/dL)	242.5 ± 14.0	243.6 ± 14.6	241.4 ± 13.5	NS
HDLC (mg/dL)	53.7 ± 11.1	54.7 ± 9.8	52.7 ± 12.3	NS
TG (mg/dL)	135.4 ± 66.7	138.6 ± 69.3	132.2 ± 64.6	NS
LDLC (mg/dL)	162.2 ± 13.9	161.2 ± 14.1	163.2 ± 14.7	NS
Glucose (mg/dL)	103.0 ± 15.8	101.8 ± 16.9	96.5 ± 27.1	NS
Creatinine (mg/dL)	0.86 ± 0.2	0.83 ± 0.2	0.90 ± 0.2	NS
eGFR (mil/min)	99.20 ± 31	101.86 ± 34.5	96.55 ± 27.1	NS
Uricemia	4.9 ± 1.1	5.0 ± 0.9	4.8 ± 1.2	NS
Smokers (%)	38.5	39.6	37.5	NS
Diabetes (%)	28.1	29.2	27.1	NS
AST (U/L)	18.4 ± 8.4	18.0 ± 9.4	18.9 ± 7.4	NS
ALT (U/L)	21.6 ± 8.1	18.2 ± 12.8	20.0 ± 7.2	NS
CPK (U/L)	95.9 ± 26.8	95.4 ± 28.6	96.4 ± 25.1	NS

ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; BMI, body mass index; CPK, creatinine phosphokinase; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; EZE, ezetimibe; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; HDLC, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; HR, heart rate; LDLC, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; NC, nutraceutical compound; NS, nonsignificant; SBP, systolic blood pressure; TC, total serum cholesterol; TG, triglycerides.

Compared to the monotherapy group, the combination therapy group showed a statistically significant decrease in the TC (−25.9% vs. −15.0%, P < .05) and LDLC levels (−38.7% vs. −21.0%, P < .05) after 3 months of treatment (Fig. 1).

FIG. 1.

TC and LDLC serum level changes from baseline to the follow-up in both treatment groups. *P < .01 versus baseline. EZE, ezetimibe; LDLC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; TC, total serum cholesterol.

The reduction in TG levels was not significant between the two groups (−9.4% vs. −11.7%, NS). The same result was observed for the HDLC levels (Fig. 2), despite a positive trend observed in the combination therapy than the control group (+4.2% vs. +1.1%, NS).

FIG. 2.

HDLC and TG serum level changes from baseline to the follow-up in both treatment groups. EZE, ezetimibe; HDLC, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; NC, nutraceutical compound; NS, nonsignificant; TG, triglycerides.

There was no difference concerning the lipid-lowering treatment between gender in both groups, and no patient withdrew from the study during the follow-up.

The AST, ALT, and CPK levels significantly increased in the group treated with the combination therapy compared to the control group, but were still within the acceptable range (Table 2). No adverse event was observed during the study.

Table 2.

Safety Parameters Monitored During the Study

	Ezetimibe				Ezetimibe + NC
	Baseline (n = 48)	Follow-up (n = 48)	Δ diff. (%)	P	Baseline (n = 48)	Follow-up (n = 48)	Δ diff. (%)	P
AST (U/L)	18.0 ± 9.4	19.2 ± 7.3	+6.6	NS	18.9 ± 7.4	24.1 ± 8.9	+27.6	<.01
ALT (U/L)	18.2 ± 12.7	19.1 ± 8.2	+6.6	NS	23.0 ± 7.2	30.4 ± 7.8	+32.4	<.01
CPK (U/L)	95.4 ± 28.6	104.4 ± 27.8	+9.5	NS	96.4 ± 25.1	127.2 ± 27.3	+32.0	<.01

Discussion

The main result of this study is that in intolerant statin subjects, at the 3-month follow-up, the EZE + NC combination therapy reduced TC and LDLC levels by 25.9% and 38.7%, respectively. This decrease was significantly greater than the one found in the EZE monotherapy group. On the contrary, no differences were observed in either group regarding TG and HDLC levels and this was probably due to the mean TG and HDLC baseline values close to the normal range. We apply the same speculation to serum glucose and blood pressure levels, which remained unchanged at the follow-up.

During this study, intentionally we tested a NC containing 3 mg of MK to prevent the risk of side effects that may occur with higher doses of MK (e.g., 10 mg), which would have interfered with the study.¹⁸ Although there was a significant increase in the transaminase and CPK levels in the combination therapy (EZE + NC) group compared to the monotherapy (EZE), these levels were still well within the acceptable range and were asymptomatic. This was demonstrated by the fact that no patient withdrew from the study indicating this reason. In contrast, the NC tested indirectly confirms the susceptibility of the studied population to adverse effects with the use of lipid-lowering drugs containing compounds acting on HMG-CoA reductase like statins (i.e., MK).

MK is an active compound that has a statin-like structure with specific reference to Lovastatin (Fig. 3).

FIG. 3.

Molecular structure of Monacolin K (Lovastatin), Piperin, Resveratrol, Berberine chloride, and QUER. QUER, Quercetin.

It is found in RYR and it modulates the endogenous synthesis of LDLC by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme. MK has a lipid-lowering effect on various conditions, such as metabolic syndrome,^19,20 atherogenic dyslipidemia,²¹ and in subjects with hypercholesterolemia at low CV risk,²² prehypertension,²³ and statin intolerance.²⁴ The effectiveness of MK in reducing LDLC has been widely documented in randomized clinical studies^25,26 and as consequence, until 2016³ and recently in the new ESC/EAS GL for the management of dyslipidemia,²⁷ MK is recommended (Grade of Evidence IIa) as an alternative to lipid-lowering therapy in the event of statin intolerance. In addition to MK, the NC tested in this study contains substances that have proven to be effective and safe against hypercholesterolemia, such as berberine, resveratrol, and quercetin (QUER), discussed below.

BC, a quaternary alkaloid (Fig. 3) extracted from several plants of the genus Berberis, inhibits LDL receptor degradation by suppressing proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) mRNA transcription.²⁸ In this way, it increases the availability of LDL receptors with a higher hepatic uptake of plasma cholesterol and decreased total cholesterolemia levels.²⁸ The lipid-lowering effects of berberine on LDLC levels through the inhibition of PCSK9 transcription are synergistic with those of MK,²⁹ and this combination therapy was also able to improve aortic stiffness in moderate-risk hypercholesterolemic patients.³⁰ Our results are not a new notation, as in a randomized study on statin-intolerant hypercholesterolemic patients; the combination of berberine and MK proved to be more effective than ezetimibe in reducing TC, LDLC, and non-HDLC levels.³¹

RES, a stilbene-based molecule (Fig. 3) extracted from the roots of Polygonum Cuspidatum and Vitis Vinifera seeds and skin, shows a mild lipid-lowering effect that seems to be due to the reduction in apolipoprotein-B, a structural LDL cholesterol transport molecule,³² and by the inhibition of lipoxygenase.^33,34 Indeed, RES showed to have a protective effect on vessel walls through a reduction on LDL oxidation in the arterial intima.³² However, the effectiveness of resveratrol on lipid pattern is closely related to its poor bioavailability,³⁵ which depends on the daily dose taken that is recommended to be at least 20 mg daily, like the one enclosed in the NC tested.

QUER is a flavonoid (Fig. 3) that, taken as a dietary supplement (15–40 mg daily) or with the diet (>33 mg daily), helps reduce CV risk,³⁶ as it appears to prevent oxidized LDL-induced endothelial dysfunction.³⁷ Clinical studies have shown a moderate lipid profile improvement, but in wide meta-analysis, including 442 patients recruited in 5 randomized clinical trials, the administration of QUER does not have significant effects on the lipid profile, except a mild lowering effect on serum TG.³⁸

However, when administered in high doses, BC and RES show an unfavorable pharmacokinetic and enteric bioaccessibility profile. Several published studies have shown that the poor bioavailability of these substances is due, respectively, to the activity of ATP-dependent efflux pump P-gP (Multi Drug Resistance Glycoprotein)^39
–41 and high pre- and postsystemic metabolism with the involvement of phase II glucuronidation and sulfatation reactions.^42
–44

QUER as well shows a poor bioavailability that is basically caused by a low enteric bioaccessibility mediated by the low water solubility. QUER absorption can be enhanced combining it with fats in form of middle and long chain glycerides^45,46 that are thought to create mixed micellar structures in the intestine with bile salts capable of enhancing QUER water dispersion into the enteric fluid. As a consequence, QUER can be placed in full and effective contact with absorbing epithelium and giving rise to a higher bioaccessibility.

To reduce the impact of the poor bioaccessibility/bioavailability on the overall efficacy of the mentioned association of active ingredients, we used a novel NC characterized by a patented technology that combines enteric absorption promoters, such as emulsifying agents mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (EZE 471, Fig. 1), with PIP (Fig. 1), an alkaloid extracted from Piper Nigrum that inhibits CYP3A, P-gP, and enterohepatic uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucuronosyltransferase,^47
–49 in a solid gastro-resistant oral formulation that promotes enteric active ingredient micellization and the partial inhibition of the mentioned pre- and postsystemic metabolism (Fig. 4).

FIG. 4.

Schematic conceptualization of Colenorm Cardio ^® technology: inhibition of Pg-P and UDP-glucuronyl transferase by the side of Piperin and micellar dispersion of QUER by the side of mono and diglycerides of fatty acids. UDP, uridine diphosphate.

Furthermore, our study confirmed the important cholesterol-lowering effect of EZE, due to its ability to selectively inhibit the Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1). ⁵⁰ The NPC1L1 protein is expressed in the small intestine, on the luminal side of the enterocytes and on the biliary side of the hepatocytes, and transports dietary cholesterol from the intestinal lumen into the enterocytes.⁵¹ EZE selectively inhibits the NPC1L1 protein, reducing intestinal sterol absorption by ∼50%.⁵² This way, it can reduce LDLC by 15–20%, with a variable response depending on the individual's genetic predisposition to intestinal hyperabsorption of cholesterol. In our study, the ezetimibe therapy showed a reduction in LDLC levels by 21%, in line with the data from the literature.⁵³ (Fig. 3).

In addition to the effective reduction of LDLC levels with nutraceuticals, it is equally important that this therapy is safe and well tolerated.⁵⁴ In our experience, after 3 months of treatment, a slight significant increase of creatine kinase (CK) and transaminase levels was found in the combination therapy than the control group, but it was asymptomatic. This is not surprising, because the MK is chemically identical of lovastatin, and therefore, some adverse effects typical for statins might appear. In detail, in about 1% of patients,⁵⁵ statins cause asymptomatic and dose-related elevations in transaminases greater than 3 times upper limit of normal, although this does not indicate either hepatocellular injury or liver synthetic dysfunction. In our study, slight increases of transaminase levels were observed (nearly 30%), suggesting that nutraceuticals are safe and well tolerated.

In the same way, a slight asymptomatic increase of CK levels (nearly 32%) found is probably not only partly related to the nutraceutical treatment. In fact, as suggested in the literature, the suspicion of statin intolerance to stop statin therapy is recommended to rule out different causes of asymptomatic increase of CK levels because they are strongly affected by race, sex, and physical activity.⁵⁶ In contrast, we speculate that the modest increases of CK and transaminases observed indirectly confirm the characteristics of the patients studied as truly intolerant to statins.

Finally, as recommended in the 2019 ESC/EAS dyslipidemia GL,²⁷ in individuals at moderate risk an LDL-C goal of <100 mg/dL should be considered. Surprisingly, in our study based mainly in subjects having a moderate CV, the recommended LDLC goal was reached after 3 months through the combination with ezetimibe and NC. This datum opens the question of the possible advantages on long-term CV risk reduction of this lipid-lowering approach in statin-intolerant subjects as lowering LDLC levels has been repeatedly proven to improve CVD outcomes, and particularly, the greater is the LDLC reduction, the more benefit will be gained.

However, further studies in individuals who are intolerant to statins, with a proper number of patients and longer follow-up, are needed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of nutraceuticals, to prove that they maintain their efficacy in the long term, as well as to answer the question of whether this therapy might have a positive effect on CV outcomes.

Limitations of the study

The study was single center and randomized in open label. The follow-up was short, and it does not provide any information on the long-term impact or of a possible rebound action at the treatment discontinuation. However, the clinical benefit demonstrated in this small sample size resulted as adequate to reach the primary end point of efficacy and safety with statistical significance.

In conclusion, this study shows that the ezetimibe + NC combination therapy is safe and effective in improving the lipid profile in statin-intolerant patients with moderate-to-high CV risk. However, as suggested in the International Expert Lipid Panel,⁵⁶ these results need to be confirmed by studies on a higher number of statin-intolerant patients and with a longer follow-up. In the meantime, the EZE + NC combination therapy appears to be a valid alternative to reduce LDLC and the risk of AE in patients with proven statin intolerance.

Footnotes

Author Disclosure Statement

No competing financial interests exist.

Funding Information

No funding was received for this article.

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