Rosuvastatin at 5 mg daily lowered LDL-C significantly more than placebo, fish oil, cinnamon, garlic, turmeric, plant sterols and red yeast rice in individuals with increased 10-year risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), based on findings from the SPORT trial presented at AHA 2022 in Chicago and simultaneously published Nov. 6 in JACC.

Researchers randomized 190 patients to receive 5 mg daily of rosuvastatin, placebo or fish oil, cinnamon, garlic, turmeric, plant sterols or red yeast rice – six common supplements used by individuals with indications for lipid-lowering therapy. The primary endpoint was the percent change in LDL-C from baseline for rosuvastatin 5 mg daily compared with placebo and each supplement after 28 days.

Overall findings showed the percent LDL-C reduction with rosuvastatin was greater than placebo and all supplements (p<0.001). The difference in LDL-C reduction with rosuvastatin compared with placebo was -35.2%, while none of the dietary supplements lowered LDL-C significantly more than placebo. Adverse event rates were similar across study groups, including the rosuvastatin group.

"The SPORT results and its messaging are important for public health," said Luke J. Laffin MD, FACC, who presented the findings. "Cardiologists, [primary care physicians] and others should consider using these results to have evidence-based discussions with patients."

Clinical Topics: Dyslipidemia, Prevention, Lipid Metabolism, Nonstatins, Novel Agents, Statins, Diet

Keywords: AHA Annual Scientific Sessions, AHA22, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Dietary Supplements, Biomarkers, Heptanoic Acids, Atorvastatin

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