In this randomised , double-blind , placebo-controlled , parallel-group phase 2 trial , we recruited patients ( aged 18-75 years ) from 17 sites ( hospitals and independent clinical research organisations ) in the Netherlands and Denmark with fasting LDL cholesterol levels between 25 mmol/L and 45 mmol/L , HDL cholesterol levels between 08 and 18 mmol/L and triglyceride levels below 45 mmol/L after washout of lipid-lowering treatments .