Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5943979 | Atherosclerosis | 2015 | 9 Pages |
â¢We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the effectiveness and safety of red yeast rice extract for cardiovascular risk reduction.â¢We analyzed 20 randomized trials on 6663 patients.â¢The placebo-subtracted reduction of LDL was 0.68 till 1.44 mmol/l with a pooled estimate of â1.02 mmol/L (95% CI â1.20; â0.83).â¢The incidence of kidney injury and liver abnormalities was <5% in both RYR and control groups. The rate of myopathy did not differ between RYR and control groups.â¢The design and reporting of adverse events were in most studies insufficient to make a firm judgement on the safety of red yeast rice extract.
ObjectiveTo verify the safety and effectiveness of traditional Chinese red yeast rice-extract (RYR) for reduction of LDL cholesterol.MethodsSystematic literature review and meta-analysis. Medline and EMBASE were searched until November 2014. We selected randomized studies in which RYR with a known content of the active substance monacolin K was tested against placebo or an active control group. Outcome measures were the effect of RYR on LDL cholesterol and incidence of adverse reactions with emphasis on liver and kidney injury and muscle symptoms.ResultsTwenty studies were analyzed. Quality of safety assessment was low in the majority of studies. RYR lowered LDL cholesterol with 1.02 mmol/L [â1.20; â0.83] compared to placebo. Effect of RYR on LDL was not different from statin therapy (0.03 mmol/L [â0.36; 0.41]). The incidence of liver and kidney injury was 0-5% and the risk was not different between treatment and control groups (risk difference â0.01 [â0.01; 0.0] and 0.0 [â0.01; 0.02]).ConclusionsRYR exerts a clinically and statistically significant reduction of 1.02 mmol/L LDL cholesterol. Only when the mild profile of adverse reactions can be affirmed in studies with adequate methodology for safety assessment, RYR might be a safe and effective treatment option for dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk reduction in statin intolerant patients.