"       The researchers saw a 52-point decrease in triglyceride levels when study participants took both fenofibrate and simvastatin. Triglycerides are a form of fat that circulates in the blood."

"       Simvastatin is typically used to treat high LDL or "bad" cholesterol levels, said Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, LDS Hospital associate chief of cardiology. Fenofibrate is prescribed because it lowers triglycerides and raises HDL "good" cholesterol levels."

"       Typically, patients are told to try to keep their LDL cholesterol below 100, triglycerides below 150 and HDL above 50. But many people, including those with diabetes, are prone to have various combinations of cholesterol-level challenges. And diabetes itself confers a high risk of heart attack — equivalent to the risk of a second heart attack for someone who has already had one, Anderson said."

"       The researchers told the 56th annual scientific sessions of the American College of Cardiology recently that higher doses of simvastatin might yield even better results. For the study, they used a 20 milligram-dose of simvastatin (Zocor) for patients with type II diabetes. Anderson said a dose twice that has been proven safe."

"       They tested the two drugs individually and in combination among 300 patients with abnormal cholesterol
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