Adult, child volunteers needed for cholesterol studies

School of Medicine researchers are seeking volunteers for several studies evaluating treatments for high cholesterol and high triglycerides.

Anne C. Goldberg, M.D., associate professor of medicine, is studying whether a combination of two currently available medications, coupled with changes in diet, will reduce triglycerides in patients between 18-79. Participants will receive dietary education with a registered dietician, a free medical evaluation, study medications and parking.

The study, funded by Reliant Pharmaceuticals Inc., requires eight fasting visits and blood tests over 14 weeks.

Goldberg is also seeking patients who are already taking a high-dose prescription statin drug for high cholesterol but have a fasting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, of more than 100 mg/dl. In this study, researchers will evaluate whether taking the statin drug with an investigational cholesterol-lowering drug will reduce LDL cholesterol better than the statin drug alone.

Patients in the 72-week study, supported by Takeda Global Research and Development Center Inc., will receive free blood tests, physical exams, electrocardiograms, cholesterol-lowering diet instruction and study medications.

In a third study, Goldberg is looking for children between 10-17 years old who have an LDL cholesterol level greater than 160 mg/dl. The 28-week study of the safety and effectiveness of a prescription drug includes eight one-hour visits with free blood tests, physical examinations and study medication. This study is funded by Sankyo Pharma Development.

For more information or to volunteer, call 362-4331.