In the present study we focus on subjects with near normal body weight (mean body mass index 25 +- 3 kg/m2) and normal serum triglyceride concentrations to investigate, in the fasting state, whether statins influence hepatic lipoprotein production. Since recent evidence suggests that the supply of cholesterol available for incorporation into nascent lipoprotein particles also exerts a regulatory influence on apoB secretion by the liver, we investigate in addition the acute inhibitory effects of a high bolus dose of simvastatin in order to stimulate LDL receptor expression to a maximum degree.