METHODS OF TREATING HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIA
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.
1 . A method of reducing large vLDL particle concentration in a subject having a fasting baseline triglyceride level of about 500 mg/dl to about 1500 mg/dl comprising administering to the subject about 2 g to about 4 g per day ethyl eicosapentaenoate thereby to produce a reduction in large vLDL particle concentration.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein said reduction is statistically significant.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein administering to the subject about 2 g to about 4 g per day of ethyl eicosapentaenoate produces a reduction in large vLDL particle concentration by comparison with a baseline large vLDL particle concentration prior to initiation of administration.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the reduction in large vLDL particle concentration is at least a 2.5% reduction.
5 . The method of claim 3 wherein the reduction in large vLDL particle concentration is at least a 10% reduction.
6 . The method of claim 3 wherein the reduction in large vLDL particle concentration is at least a 20% reduction.
7 . The method of claim 3 wherein the reduction in large vLDL particle concentration is at least about 24% reduction.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the subject is administered about 3.8 g to about 4 g per day of ethyl eicosapentaenoate.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the subject is administered ethyl eicosapentaenoate for a period of 12 weeks.
10 . A method of reducing small LDL particle concentration in a subject having a fasting baseline triglyceride level of about 500 mg/dl to about 1500 mg/dl comprising, administering to the subject about 2 g to about 4 g per day of ethyl eicosapentaenoate thereby to produce a reduction in small LDL particle concentration by comparison with a baseline small LDL particle concentration prior to initiation of administration.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the reduction in small LDL particle concentration is at least a 5% reduction.
12 . The method of claim 10 wherein the reduction in small LDL particle concentration is at least a 9% reduction.
13 . The method of claim 10 wherein the subject is administered about 3.8 g to about 4 g per day of ethyl eicosapentaenoate.
14 . The method of claim 10 wherein the subject is administered ethyl eicosapentaenoate for a period of 12 weeks.