Hormonal changes with cholesterol reduction: a double-blind pilot study

Abstract

Background: The lowering of high serum cholesterol levels may be associated with increased non-cardiac mortality due to behavioral changes, although such endpoints are likely rare.

Objective: This current study sought to determine if hormonal changes accompany pharmacologically induced decreases in serum cholesterol levels.

Method: Cholesterol, dopamine, homovanillic acid (HVA), serotonin, 5-HIAA, testosterone, cortisol and pregnenolone were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment.

Results: Subjects' cholesterol levels significantly declined within 4 weeks. Concomitant significant increase in dopamine and HVA were noted.

Conclusion: Although this study is limited in size, it raises the possibility that cholesterol-lowering drug treatment is associated with hormonal perturbations.