Cimetidine increases HDL-cholesterol, particularly in the HDL3 subfraction.
Changes in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were monitored in five patients treated with cimetidine for gastrointestinal disturbances. A progressive rise of HDL cholesterolemia, statistically significant after four weeks of treatment and highly so after eight weeks (+ 25.4%) was noted. The composition of HDL2 varied insignificantly, whereas a marked rise of HDL3 cholesterol (+ 23.4%) and protein (+ 13.9%) was observed at the end of eight weeks. Cimetidine seems to act in a similar way as microsomal enzyme inducers, in spite of the described inhibition of specific pathways in drug metabolism; recent evidence shows that cytochrome P-450 turnover is delayed after cimetidine. Whatever the mechanism(s), H2 receptors may play a role in the cholesterol removal from tissues.
D000328:Adult; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D002501:Centrifugation, Zonal; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D053439:Lipoproteins, HDL2; D053440:Lipoproteins, HDL3; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D053439:Lipoproteins, HDL2; D053440:Lipoproteins, HDL3; D014280:Triglycerides; D002927:Cimetidine