ClinofibrateS2664

Clinofibrate significantly decreases the high plasma cholesterol level of atherosclerotic rats, which is 823 +/- 256 (mean +/- SD) mg/dl, or about ten times that of control rats (85 +/- 11 mg/dl). On treatment with Clinofibrate, the cholesterol level is reduced mostly in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction (d less than 1.006). Heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase activity in epididymal adipose tissue, lipoprotein lipase activity in post heparin plasma, and VLDL-triolein hydrolizing activity in adipose tissue stromal vessels are higher in Clinofibrate-treated rats than in atherosclerotic rats. Of the enzymes in the arterial wall concerned with cholesterol ester metabolism, acid cholesterol esterase activity is decreased in atherosclerotic rats, and Clinofibrate treatment increased this activity. The ratio of acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase activity (ACAT) to neutral cholesterol esterase activity is higher in atherosclerotic rats than in control rats and is lower in Clinofibrate-treated rats than in atherosclerotic rats