Effect of lovastatin on cholesterol absorption in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin on some aspects of cholesterol metabolism in cholesterol-fed rabbits. The plasma cholesterol concentration was markedly lower in lovastatin-treated rabbits (6 mg/rabbit/day) compared to controls after 36 days of cholesterol-feeding (x +/- S.E.) (19 +/- 4 mmol/l, n = 9 versus 153 +/- 17 mmol/l, n = 7) (P < 0.00001). Intestinal absorption of cholesterol in such rabbits was reduced by 15% in lovastatin-treated rabbits (n = 21) compared to controls (n = 18) (P < 0.025). The results suggest that the hypocholesterolaemic effect of lovastatin in cholesterol-fed rabbits is associated with a decreased intestinal absorption of cholesterol.
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
L B
LB
Nielsen
S
S
Stender
K
K
Kjeldsen
D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D012855:Sitosterols; C025473:gamma-sitosterol; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin