title: Etofibrate enhances 123I-LDL-binding in human liver.
abstract: Etofibrate, a combination of fibric and nicotinic acid, is successfully used for the treatment of type IIb and IV hyperlipidemia. While an up-regulation of specific low density lipoproteins (LDL) binding sites in human platelets has been demonstrated, action on LDL-binding to the liver in patients and kinetic studies rare. This study aimed to investigate the influence of twice 500mg etofibrate daily given for 6 weeks on the in vivo binding of autologous LDL to the liver in 11 patients, 6 males, 5 females; aged 37-57 years, suffering from mixed hyperlipidemia. Etofibrate enhanced in vivo liver uptake of (123)I-LDL by 16.1% at mean, shortened plasma decay of LDL and improved lipid profile: serum total cholesterol was lowered by 14.9%, LDL-cholesterol was lowered by 22.2% and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)- cholesterol was increased by 10.9%. These findings are documenting a beneficial effect of the drug at the LDL liver receptor level in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oguogho
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sinzinger