Effects of niceritrol on elevated serum lipoprotein Lp(a) levels in diabetic patients with or without overt proteinuria

Abstract Effects of 16 weeks of niceritrol therapy (750 mg/d for the first 8 weeks and 1500 mg/d for the remaining 8 weeks) on serum levels of lipids, apolipoproteins, and Lp(a) were examined in diabetic patients with and without overt proteinuria. Pre-niceritrol Lp(a) levels exceeded 30 mg/dL and were comparable in both groups of patients. Pretreatment levels of lipids and apolipoproteins also were similar in both groups. Nonproteinuric patients exhibited an 18% decrease in Lp(a) and a 22% reduction in triglycerides as well as increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI. In contrast, patients with overt proteinuria showed no significant changes in serum lipids, apolipoproteins, or Lp(a) in response to niceritrol therapy. These findings suggest that the presence of overt proteinuria may affect Lp(a) metabolism in diabetic patients.