INVESTIGATION OF SIMVASTATIN THERAPY IN SMITH-LEMI-OPITZ SYNDROME

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome (SLOS, RSH syndrome, OMIM #270400) is an autosomal recessive, multiple malformation, mental retardation syndrome due to an inborn error of cholesterol biosynthesis. Specifically, these patients have a deficiency of 3-beta-hydroxysterol delta-7 reductase activity due to mutation of the 3-beta-hydroxysterol 7-reuctase gene (DHCR7). This enzymatic deficiency impairs the conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) to cholesterol in the last step of cholesterol biosynthesis. The clinical manifestations of SLOS are extremely variable and the phenotypic spectrum is broad. At the severe end of the spectrum SLOS is a lethal disorder with multiple major congenital anomalies, and in mild cases SLOS combines minor physical stigmata with behavioral and learning disabilities. Based on clinical studies, the incidence rate of SLOS is 1/10,000 to 1/60,000. Molecular studies have shown a carrier frequency of about 1% for the most common SLOS mutant allele in North American populations. Currently, therapy is based on dietary cholesterol supplementation. Although clinical improvement has been noted, serumcholesterol levels are rarely normalized and elevated serum 7-DHC levels persist. Because elevated 7-DHC levels may have toxic effects, treatment of SLOS patients with an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor has been proposed. Simvastatin is a medication which inhibits the body's ability to synthesize cholesterol. Because is blocks cholesterol synthesis at an early step, it also blocks 7-DHC synthesis. In mild to typical SLOS children, the protein (enzyme) that converts 7-DHC to cholesterol works at a low level. We suspect that simvastatin may increase the amount of this enzyme. If this occurs, although the enzyme does ot work any better, there is more of it. With more enzyme present, more 7-DHC may be converted to cholesterol. Although clinical improvement has been noted with dietary cholesterol supplementation, serum cholesterol levels are rarely normalized and elevated serum 7-DHC levels persist. The goal of this clinicsl research protocol will be to test the clinical efficacy and safety of simvastatin therapy as an addition to cholesterol supplementation in mild to classical SLOS patients using a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design.