SINGLE DAILY ORAL DOSE OF GEMFIBROZIL REDUCES POSTPRANDIAL HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN HYPERLIPIDEMIC PATIENTS

This study analyzed the effects of a single daily oral dose (900 mg) o f gemfibrozil on fasting and postprandial Lipids in hyperlipidemic pat ients. In 13 patients with hypercholesterolemia or mixed hyperlipidemi a, the intake of a single daily dose (900 mg) of gemfibrozil for 3 wee ks reduced the plasma concentration of total cholesterol (15 +/- 7%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (9 +/- 18%), and triglycerides (TG s) (39 +/- 24%). During a vitamin A fat-loading test, TGs and retinyl palmitate (RP) responses were reduced significantly by gemfibrozil tre atment, particularly in the chylomicron fraction. Plasma activity of h epatic lipase was increased significantly (9 +/- 12%) by gemfibrozil t reatment. The association between the apolipoprotein E phenotype and t he postprandial changes in TGs and RP was not significant. As with hig h doses, a single 900-mg dose of gemfibrozil is capable of reducing po stprandial hyperlipidemia. This effect involves both enhanced clearanc e of TGs of exogenous origin and reduced synthesis of TGs of hepatic o rigin. A unique property of gemfibrozil is its capacity, even in a sin gle, 900-mg dose, to increase the activity of hepatic lipase.