EFFECT OF LOVASTATIN ON CHOLESTEROL ABSORPTION IN CHOLESTEROL-FED RABBITS

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the hydr oxymethylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin on some asp ects of cholesterol metabolism in cholesterol-fed rabbits. The plasma cholesterol concentration was markedly lower in lovastatin-treated rab bits (6 mg/rabbit/day) compared to controls after 36 days of cholester ol-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 contr ols (n=18) (P<0.025). The results suggest that the hypocholesterolaemi c effect of lovastatin in cholesterol-fed rabbits is associated with a decreased intestinal absorption of cholesterol.