title: Influence of the HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitor lovastatin on cholesterol saturation index and nucleation time of duodenal bile.
abstract: Owing to the presence of hyperlipoproteinemia IIa, twelve patients without gallstones were treated daily with 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg of Lovastatin, each dose being administered for 4 weeks. At the conclusion of each 4-week treatment phase, bile was obtained from the fasting patient following injection of 5 micrograms ceruletid i.v. with the aid of a duodenal tube. The long nucleation time of bile was not shortened by the therapy. The bile cholesterol saturation index showed a decline with Lovastatin, which was particularly obvious in patients with an initially oversaturated bile. In contrast to other lipid-reducing agents (e.g. fibrates), Lovastatin does not lead to increased lithogenesis of the bile, but may in certain circumstances have an prophylactic effect against the formation of gallstones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nitsche
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schlage
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kirchhoff
authors.forename: U R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Fölsch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Creutzfeldt
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Creutzfeldt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001646:Bile / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin