Associations between the genotypes and phenotype of CYP3A and the lipid response to simvastatin in Chinese patients with hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the associations between the CYP3A4*1G, CYP3A4*22, CYP3A5*3 and PPARA rs4823613 A>G polymorphisms and the phenotypes of CYP3A estimated by the ratio of 6β-hydroxycortisol:cortisol in urine, and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol response to simvastatin in Chinese patients with hypercholesterolemia. Patients & methods: Lipid profiles were determined off treatment and after 6 weeks of treatment with simvastatin 40 mg in 273 patients. Results: There was no significant association between the ratio of 6β-hydroxycortisol:cortisol and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol response to simvastatin in the study subjects (r = 0.052; p = 0.455). The genetic polymorphisms examined had no significant association with this measure of CYP3A phenotype or the lipid-lowering responses to simvastatin. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A or other regulatory genes, or the CYP3A activity itself, is unlikely to have a significant effect on the lipid-lowering responses to simvastatin in Chinese patients. Original submitted 28 August 2012; Revision submitted 17 October 2012