Treatment of Ezetimibe lowers total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic dogs with hyperadorenocorticism

Abstract

Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor that blocks the intestinal absorption of both biliary and dietary cholesterol, thereby lowering primarily low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-chol) in human studies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ezetimibe on dyslipidemia control in nine dogs with hypercholesterolemia. Changes in total cholesterol (T-chol) and each lipoprotein fractions were evaluated at 0, 2, and 4 months following initiation of ezetimibe treatment. A significant decrease in T-chol was observed, and a mean T-chol concentration below 400 mg/dL was achieved at 2 and 4 months. Furthermore, a significant decrease in LDL-chol was observed (−53.3% and −64.3% at 2 and 4 months, respectively). Taken together, treatment of ezetimibe could lower LDL-chol levels in dogs with hypercholesterolemia.