Differential effects of fenofibrate and extended-release niacin on high-density lipoprotein particle size distribution and cholesterol efflux capacity in dyslipidemic patients.

Background The effectiveness of therapies that raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) to lower cardiovascular disease risk is currently under debate, and further research into the relationship between HDL-C and function is required. Objective o investigate whether 2 established HDL-C-raising therapies had differential effects on parameters of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) quality and function, such as HDL particle profile and cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), in patients with dyslipidemia. Methods and results Sixty-six patients with dyslipidemia, 24 with low HDL-C levels ( Conclusions Fenofibrate and ER niacin increased plasma HDL-C level similarly, but modulated HDL particle size distribution differently; however, these changes did not result in differential effects on serum CECs.