Influence of 5-fluorouracil on serum lipids.
The effect of the cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on plasma lipid levels was studied in patients and animals. Seven patients with metastatic carcinoma of the colon and three with advanced breast cancer were treated with 5-FU monotherapy by i.v. push at a dose of 500 mg/m2/d for 3-5 consecutive days. The animal group comprised 9 rabbits treated with 5-FU by i.v. push at 12-18 mg/kg/d for 2 consecutive days. Measurements of serum lipid levels were performed before and 2 and 4 weeks after 5-FU administration. No obvious change of diet, body weight and bowel habits occurred during the study period. A significant reduction of total plasma cholesterol was observed in both patients and animals. The triglyceride levels were also reduced in the rabbits. Maximal cholesterol-lowering effect was observed in patients and rabbits with higher baseline cholesterol levels. The results suggest that 5-FU might interfere with lipid metabolism.
Stathopoulos
G P
GP
Department of Oncology, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Stergiou
G S
GS
Perrea-Kostarelis
D N
DN
Dontas
I A
IA
Karamanos
B G
BG
Karayiannacos
P E
PE
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011817:Rabbits; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D005472:Fluorouracil