EFFECT OF PRAVASTATIN ON PLASMA-LIPID CONCENTRATIONS IN POLOXAMER 407-INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIC RATS

A new animal model of hyperlipidemia is being developed using the noni onic surfactant poloxamer 407 (P-407). We investigated the impact of p ravastatin on P-407-induced hyperlipidemia. Twenty rats received P-407 300 mg intraperitoneally to induce hyperlipidemia, and 20 control rat s received saline injection. Pravastatin was administered orally to an equal number of rats in both groups using three different regimens. A fourth group did not receive pravastatin. At 24 hours after injection , total cholesterol levels in two of the pravastatin groups were 28% a nd 34% lower than those in animals that did not receive pravastatin (p less than or equal to 0.01). At 48 hours, triglyceride levels were si gnificantly lower in all pravastatin groups (21-44%) versus animals no t receiving pravastatin. Pravastatin diminished the effects of P-407 o n lipoproteins. This new animal model may be useful in screening for i nvestigational antihyperlipidemic agents.