Methods of treating hypertriglyceridemia

Abstract

In various embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing cardiovascular-related disease and, in particular, a method of blood lipid therapy comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising eicosapentaenoic acid or a derivative thereof.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of lowering high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:
 determining a baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level in the subject, the subject having a triglyceride level of at least 500 mg/dl; and   administering to the subject daily (a) about 4 g of a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least 96% pure ethyl-EPA and (b) a statin for a period of at least 12 weeks to effect a reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein of at least about 20% compared to the baseline.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pharmaceutical composition contains substantially no DHA or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject has a triglyceride level of 500 mg/dl to about 2000 mg/dl. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject has a triglyceride level of 750 mg/dl to about 2000 mg/dl. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the subject is a diabetic. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said administration is continued for a period greater than 12 weeks. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of administering effects a reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein of at least about 40% compared to the baseline. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of administering effects a reduction in high sensitivity C-reactive protein of at least about 20% compared to a subject having baseline triglycerides of at least 500 mg/dl who receives statin therapy but not the pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a baseline fasting triglycerides in the subject, and administering to the subject about 4 g of the pharmaceutical composition and the statin daily for the period of at least 12 weeks to effect a reduction in fasting triglycerides of at least about 35% compared to baseline and no statistically significant increase in LDL. 
     
     
         10 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of at least 96% pure E-EPA and an HMG-CoA inhibitor for use in reducing hsCRP in patients with TGs above 500 mg/dl.