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Effects of probucol on xanthomata regression in familial hypercholesterolemia.

Fifty-one patients with familial hypercholesterolemia were treated for 2 to 4 years with probucol, cholestyramine, clofibrate and compactin in various combinations. Mean baseline serum cholesterol was 359 +/- 10 mg/dl in the heterozygote, and 582 +/- 52 mg/dl in the homozygote patients. We found that a combination of probucol, cholestyramine and compactin decreased serum cholesterol to normal or near normal in most of the heterozygote patients. In 3 severely affected heterozygote and all 8 homozygote patients, adequate cholesterol reduction was only possible with plasmapheresis plus a hypolipidemic agent. Measurement of the Achilles tendon after 12 to 16 months of treatment showed that reductions in thickness occurred in all patients taking probucol, even in a single-drug regimen, in those undergoing plasmapheresis, especially if probucol was used and in those receiving a combination of cholestyramine and compactin. Probucol was most effective in patients who experienced the greatest decreases in high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, whereas the cholestyramine-compactin combination worked without decreasing HDL concentrations. Combined clofibrate-cholestyramine therapy, by contrast, led to increased tendon thickness in all but 1 patient. It is believed that probucol exerts its positive effect on xanthomata regression by reducing the size of HDL particles, as was shown in this study. It has already been reported that smaller HDL particles are more active in reverse cholesterol transport. The direct peripheral action of probucol may have aided regression as well.

Achilles Tendon↗

Effect of enhancement of cholesterol degradation during neonatal life of guinea pig on its subsequent response to dietary cholesterol.

The effect of feeding cholestyramine to neonatal guinea pigs on their subsequent plasma cholesterol levels and response to dietary cholesterol were studied. Male neonatal guinea pigs were suckled for 6 days. One group was maintained on a 1.1% cholestyramine diet for 6 weeks and the control group weaned normally. Both groups of guinea pigs were then fed a standard diet of Guinea Pig Chow for 6 weeks. During the standard diet period bile acid and neutral sterol excretion rates were significantly higher in the group previously treated with cholestyramine than the control group despite the similarity in plasma cholesterol levels. When both groups of guinea pigs were subjected to a 0.5% cholesterol diet for 4 weeks, plasma cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the group previously treated with cholestyramine than the control group. The plasma cholesterol levels continued to be significantly lower in the group previously treated with cholestyramine after an additional four weeks on standard diet. These results suggest that stimulation of cholesterol catabolism in the neonatal period can influence the subsequent response to dietary cholesterol.

Animals↗

Hypolipidemic drugs reduce lipoprotein susceptibility to undergo lipid peroxidation: in vitro and ex vivo studies.

Oxidized LDL, which has been discovered in vivo in areas of proximity to the atherosclerotic lesion, has been shown to enhance macrophage cholesterol accumulation. We studied the anti-oxidant potential of pravastatin, bezafibrate and cholestyramine in 18 patients with hypercholesterolemia. In addition, we examined the electrophoretic mobility and the uptake of LDL by macrophages before and after drug therapy. Pravastatin lowered plasma levels of LDL cholesterol by 57%, cholestyramine by 27% and bezafibrate by 25%. Pravastatin and bezafibrate also altered the composition of LDL as evidenced by the reduction of its cholesterol/apo B100 ratio. Pravastatin and bezafibrate reduced plasma triglyceride levels by 45% and 25%, respectively, whereas cholestyramine raised plasma triglyceride concentrations by 28%. LDL propensity for in vitro oxidation was analyzed following lipoprotein incubation with 10 microM copper ions and determination of LDL malondialdehyde (MDA), peroxides (PD) and conjugated dienes (CD) content. All drugs inhibited the susceptibility to in vitro oxidation of LDL isolated after drug therapy in comparison to LDL isolated before commencing drug therapy. Pravastatin reduced MDA content by 22%, PD by 18% and CD by 20%. Cholestyramine reduced LDL content of MDA by 41%, PD by 25% and CD by 63%. Bezafibrate reduced MDA by 41%, PD by 38% and CD by 45%. LDL vitamin E content was reduced after treatment with bezafibrate, pravastatin and cholestyramine by 49%, 36% and 8%, respectively. The electrophoretic mobility of LDL after all drug therapies was reduced in comparison to LDL obtained before therapy. Macrophage uptake of LDL assessed by either the cellular cholesterol esterification rate or by lipoprotein degradation was not affected by drug therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Studies of cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, and early atherogenesis in hamsters fed GT16-239, a novel bile acid sequestrant (BAS).

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of GT16-239, an alkylated, cross-linked poly(allylamine) bile acid sequestrant with cholestyramine on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, and early aortic atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic male F1B Golden Syrian hamsters. In this controlled study, 42 hamsters were divided into six groups and were fed a chow-based hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with a 10% oil blend (55% coconut/45% corn), 0.1% cholesterol (w/w) (control) and either 0.9 or 1.2% cholestyramine or 0.2, 0.4 or 0.6% GT16-239 for 13 weeks. Laboratory analyses included evaluating plasma lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities, fecal excretion of bile acids and neutral sterols, hepatic cholesterol concentrations, and early atherosclerosis (aortic fatty streak area). Relative to the control diet, the 0.6% GT16-239 versus the 1.2% cholestyramine significantly inhibited the elevation of plasma lipoprotein total cholesterol (TC) (-69% vs -40%), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (-49% vs -30%), and non-HDL-C (-81 vs -48%) concentrations; increased the activities of both HMG-CoA reductase (1492% vs 62%) and 7 alpha-hydroxylase (175% vs 86%); lowered the concentration of hepatic cholesteryl ester (-94% vs -59%); increased fecal cholesterol concentration (+28% vs -10%); and decreased aortic fatty streak area (-100% vs -86%). Unexpected findings of this comparison were increased fecal concentrations of cholic acid (533%) and chenodeoxycholic acid (400%) and the reduction in lithocholic acid (-50%) in the 0.6% GT16-239 compared to the 1.2% cholestyramine group. In summary, GT16-239 had a greater impact on cholesterol metabolism and early atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic hamsters than cholestyramine.

Allylamine↗

[Treatment of severe perianal cutaneous lesions in hospitalized neonates: Orabase ointment interest].

Cholestyramine ointment is an hospital preparation used as a second-intention treatment for severe perianal skin lesions. These preparations have to be declared to AFSSAPS. The aim of this study was to assess the equivalence of Orabase, a marketed paste, with intention of substitution. A clinical trial was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of cholestyramine ointment versus Orabase paste. This study was conducted in the neonatalogy unit. The principal evaluation criterion was the time to clinical recovery. Nurses also gave their subjective evaluation of each product. Although 34 children were included in the study, the time to clinical recovery delay was evaluated in 28. Time to clinical recovery was 90.5 hours for the cholestyramine ointment and 81 hours for Orabase paste. Concerning the subjective assessment, Orabase paste achieved a higher score than cholestyramine ointment (p<0.01). Orabase paste was considered to be equivalent to cholestyramine ointment.

Buttocks↗

Binding of Clostridium difficile cytotoxin and vancomycin by anion-exchange resins.

Cholestyramine and colestipol were tested for binding of Clostridium difficile cytotoxin with use of batch absorption and column chromatography. The toxin was bound by both resins and could not be eluted from cholestyramine with either an ionic of a pH gradient. Vancomycin bound to cholestyramine more strongly than to colestipol. Cholestyramine and vancomycin were also tested for therapeutic efficacy in the hamster model of clindamycin-induced cecitis. Both compounds delayed death and reduced levels of cytotoxin in stool; these effects were greatest for vancomycin. Use of the two compounds in combination reduced concentrations of biologically active vancomycin in stool, but the levels still exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentration for C. difficile. These data suggest that the therapeutic benefit of cholestyramine in some patients with antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis is due to its binding of the C. difficile cytotoxin. Since anion-exchange resins also bind vancomycin, caution is necessary if resins are used concurrently with vancomycin for therapy.

Absorption↗

Reduced digestibility of beef tallow and cocoa butter affects bile acid excretion and reduces hepatic esterified cholesterol in rats.

We investigated stearic acid (18:0) digestibility and how it affects bile acid excretion in male Sprague-Dawley rats fed diets containing (g 18:0/ 100 g fatty acids): pork lard (13); beef tallow (19); cocoa butter (35); corn oil (2) or corn oil plus cholestyramine for 25 d. Apparent lipid digestibility was reduced with increased dietary intake of 18:0 as follows: lard (90%), beef tallow (82%), cocoa butter (78%), cholestyramine (87%), and corn oil (94%); P < 0.001, pooled SD = 2. Hepatic concentrations of total and esterified cholesterol were significantly less in cocoa butter-, beef tallow- and cholestyramine-fed groups compared with lard- and corn oil-fed groups. Fecal bile acid excretion was significantly greater in rats fed cocoa butter or cholestyramine compared with those fed corn oil. The half-life of intraperitoneally administered 14C-cholic acid was significantly longer in rats fed cocoa butter (1.36 +/- 0.02 d) compared with cholestyramine (0.98 +/- 0.03 d) and intermediate in those fed corn oil, lard or beef tallow (1.11-1.21 +/- 0.05 d). Fecal excretion of muricholic acids (bile acids) correlated strongly with dietary intake of 18:0 (r2 = 0.98, P < 0.01), whereas excretion of bile acids derived from cholic and chenodeoxycholic acids was similar among groups. In summary, the lower digestibility of cocoa butter is associated with increased fecal bile acid excretion, reduced hepatic concentration of esterified cholesterol, decreased fractional turnover of 14C-cholic acid and increased excretion of muricholic acids in rats. The mechanism by which stearate-rich dietary fats alter bile acid and cholesterol metabolism is, however, uncertain.

Analysis of Variance↗

Effects of resins and activated charcoal on the absorption of digoxin, carbamazepine and frusemide.

1. The interference of resins and activated charcoal with the absorption of digoxin, carbamazepine and frusemide was studied. 2. In a cross-over study consisting of four phases, single doses of colestipol hydrochloride (10 g), cholestyramine (8 g), activated charcoal (8 g) or water only were given to six healthy volunteers immediately after the simultaneous ingestion of digoxin (0.25 mg), carbamazepine (400 mg) and frusemide (40 mg). Plasma and urine concentrations of the test drugs and the urine volumes were determined up to 72 h. 3. The absorption of digoxin was not reduced by colestipol, moderately (30-40%, P less than 0.05) reduced by cholestyramine and greatly (96%) by charcoal. 4. The absorption of carbamazepine was not decreased by cholestyramine, slightly (10%) by colestipol and greatly (90%) by activated charcoal. 5. The absorption and the diuretic effect of frusemide were significantly diminished by all agents. The bioavailability was reduced by colestipol 80%, by cholestyramine 95% and by activated charcoal 99.5%. 6. The interference with the gastrointestinal absorption of most of the basic drugs by colestipol and cholestyramine seems to be minimal. On the other hand, the resins may seriously impair the absorption of certain acidic drugs, for example frusemide.

Adult↗

The use of histological techniques for the demonstration of ion exchange resins.

AIM: To establish the staining characteristics of certain ion exchange resins in histological material, with a view to enabling confident differential identification. METHODS: Various histological staining procedures were applied to selected pathological material and prepared agar blocks containing the cation exchange resin calcium polystyrene sulphonate and the anion exchange resin cholestyramine. RESULTS: Calcium polystyrene sulphonate uniquely stained strongly by a direct Schiff's reagent procedure without any preoxidation and by the Ziehl-Neelsen method. Cholestyramine was negative by the former method but stained strongly with a standard Congo red technique. CONCLUSIONS: These staining results are consistent with the known structure and properties of polystyrene sulphonate and cholestyramine resins. Polystyrene sulphonate resins have the virtually pathognomonic feature of direct Schiff positivity, while morphology, location, and strong non-birefringent Congo red positivity facilitate the identification of cholestyramine. It is possible that the intrinsic staining characteristics of cholestyramine may be lost once it has bound to its target.

Anion Exchange Resins↗

Bile acid synthesis in the isolated, perfused rabbit liver.

These experiments were carried out to demonstrate the usefulness of the perfused rabbit liver for studies of bile acid metabolism, and to determine the rate-limiting enzyme of bile acid synthesis. Rabbits were fed a semisynthetic diet, with or without the addition of 1% cholestyramine, under controlled conditions. At the end of 2-5 wk, the livers were removed and perfused for 2.5 hr employing various (14)C-labeled precursors to measure de novo cholic acid synthesis. The livers were then analyzed for cholesterol, and the bile collected during the perfusion was analyzed for cholesterol and bile acids. Control bile contained, on the average, 0.34 mg of glycocholate, 7.4 mg of glycodeoxycholate, and 0.06 mg of cholesterol. After cholestyramine treatment of the donor rabbits, the bile contained 3.3 mg of glycocholate, 3.7 mg of glycodeoxycholate, and 0.05 mg of cholesterol. It was assumed that in cholestyramine-treated animals the enterohepatic circulation of the bile acids had been interrupted sufficiently to release the feedback inhibition of the rate-controlling enzyme of bile acid synthesis. Therefore, a given precursor should be incorporated into bile acids at a more rapid rate in livers of cholestyramine-treated animals, provided that the precursor was acted upon by the rate-controlling enzyme. It was found that the incorporation of acetate-(14)C, mevalonolactone-(14)C, and cholesterol-(14)C into cholate was 5-20 times greater in the livers of cholestyramine-treated animals than in the controls. In contrast, there was no difference in the incorporation of 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol-(14)C into cholate regardless of dietary pretreatment. It was concluded that given an adequate precursor pool, the 7alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterol is the rate-limiting step in bile acid formation.

Acetates↗

The Lipid Research Clinics Coronary Primary Prevention Trial results. II. The relationship of reduction in incidence of coronary heart disease to cholesterol lowering.

In the Lipid Research Clinics Coronary Primary Prevention Trial (LRC-CPPT), a 19% lower incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in cholestyramine-treated men was accompanied by mean falls of 8% and 12% in plasma total (TOTAL-C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterol levels relative to levels in placebo-treated men. When the cholestyramine treatment group was analyzed separately, a 19% reduction in CHD risk was also associated with each decrement of 8% in TOTAL-C or 11% in LDL-C levels (P less than .001). Moreover, CHD incidence in men sustaining a fall of 25% in TOTAL-C or 35% in LDL-C levels, typical responses to the prescribed dosage (24 g/day) of cholestyramine resin, was half that of men who remained at pretreatment levels. Adherence to medication was associated with reduced incidence of CHD only when accompanied by falls in TOTAL-C and LDL-C levels. Small increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, which accompanied cholestyramine treatment, independently accounted for a 2% reduction in CHD risk. Thus, the reduction of CHD incidence in the cholestyramine group seems to have been mediated chiefly by reduction of TOTAL-C and LDL-C levels.

Cholesterol↗

Indirect assessment of the enterohepatic recirculation of piroxicam and tenoxicam.

To assess the extent of enterohepatic recycling of piroxicam and tenoxicam, their pharmacokinetics have been compared in the absence and presence of concomitant treatment with cholestyramine. In a randomized crossover study 6 healthy volunteers received piroxicam and tenoxicam 20 mg p.o., alone or with cholestyramine 24 g/day for 4 days. Cholestyramine increased piroxicam & tenoxicam elimination approximately 2-fold (t 1/2 50.3 vs 28.1 h and 73.6 vs 35.8 h, respectively). It also increased the apparent clearance (Cl/f) of piroxicam and tenoxicam by 58% and 112%. When cholestyramine was administered, the t 1/2 of piroxicam & tenoxicam were correlated (r = 0.89), which suggests that their hepatic biotransformation is under a common control. It is concluded that: piroxicam and tenoxicam are eliminated to a large and comparable extent through the biliary route, and the administration of cholestyramine may help to accelerate their elimination in cases of overdosage.

Adult↗

Adverse effects of hypolipidaemic drugs.

Cholestyramine, colestipol, clofibrate, gemfibrozil, nicotinic acid (niacin), probucol, neomycin, and dextrothyroxine are the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinaemic disorders. While adverse reaction data are available for all of them, definitive data regarding the frequency and severity of potential adverse effects from well-controlled trials using large numbers of patients (greater than 1000) are available only for cholestyramine, clofibrate, nicotinic acid and dextrothyroxine. In adult patients treated with cholestyramine, gastrointestinal complaints, especially constipation, abdominal pain and unpalatability are most frequently observed. Continued administration along with dietary manipulation (e.g. addition of dietary fibre) and/or stool softeners results in diminished complaints during long term therapy. Large doses of cholestyramine (greater than 32 g/day) may be associated with malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Most significantly, osteomalacia and, on rare occasions, haemorrhagic diathesis are reported with cholestyramine impairment of vitamin D and vitamin K absorption, respectively. Paediatric patients have been reported to experience hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis or gastrointestinal obstruction. Concurrent administration of acidic drugs may result in their reduced bioavailability. Serious adverse reactions to clofibrate will probably limit its role in the future. Of particular concern are ventricular arrhythmias, induction of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis, and the potential for promoting gastrointestinal malignancy which far outweigh the reported benefits in preventing new or recurrent myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death and overall death. Patients with renal disease are particularly prone to myositis, secondary to alterations in protein binding and impaired renal excretion of clofibrate. Drug interactions with coumarin anticoagulants and sulphonylurea compounds may produce bleeding episodes and hypoglycaemia, respectively. Nicotinic acid produces frequent adverse effects, but they are usually not serious, tend to decrease with time, and can be managed easily. Dermal and gastrointestinal reactions are most common. Truncal and facial flushing are reported in 90 to 100% of treated patients in large clinical trials. Significant elevations of liver enzymes, serum glucose, and serum uric acid are occasionally seen with nicotinic acid therapy. Liver enzyme elevations are more common in patients given large dosage increases over short periods of time, and in patients treated with sustained release formulations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Chronic biotoxin-associated illness: multiple-system symptoms, a vision deficit, and effective treatment.

Blooms of toxigenic organisms have increased in spatial and temporal extent due to human activities and natural forces that alter ecologic habitats and pollute the environment. In aquatic environments, harmful algal blooms pose a risk for human health, the viability of organisms, and the sustainability of ecosystems. The estuarine dinoflagellate, Pfiesteria piscicida, was discovered in the late 1980s at North Carolina State University as a contaminant in fish cultures. P. piscicida was associated with fish death in laboratory aquaria, and illness among laboratory workers who inhaled the mist above aquaria. Both the fish and humans exhibited signs of toxicity. During the 1990s, large-scale mortality among fish and other aquatic organisms was associated with high concentrations of Pfiesteria sp. in estuaries on the eastern seaboard of North America from New York to Texas. Illness among humans was associated with direct exposure to estuaries and exposures to estuarine aerosols around the time of Pfiesteria-related fish kills. This review of the scientific literature on associations between Pfiesteria and human illness identified some of the possible mechanisms of action by which putative Pfiesteria toxins may have caused morbidity. Particular attention was given to the Pfiesteria-associated, human-illness syndrome known as Possible Estuary Associated Syndrome (PEAS). PEAS was characterized by multiple-system symptoms, deficits in neuropsychological tests of cognitive function, and rapid and severe decrements in visual contrast sensitivity (VCS), an indicator of neurologic function in the visual system. PEAS was diagnosed in acute and chronic illness cases, and was reacquired during re-exposure. Rapid normalization of PEAS signs and symptoms was achieved through the use of cholestyramine therapy. Cholestyramine, a non-absorbable polymer, has been used by humans to lower cholesterol levels since it was approved for that use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1958. When dissolved in water or juice and taken orally, cholestyramine binds with cholesterol, bile acids, and salts in the intestines, causing them to be eliminated rather than reabsorbed with bile during enterohepatic recirculation. Cholestyramine also has been reported to bind and eliminate a variety of toxic substances. The efficacy of cholestyramine therapy in treatment of PEAS supported the hypothesis that PEAS is a biotoxin-associated illness.

Animals↗

Bile acid malabsorption in microscopic colitis and in previously unexplained functional chronic diarrhea.

Bile acid malabsorption (BAM) has been described in patients with collagenous colitis. There are no similar studies in lymphocytic colitis. The possibility that BAM might not necessarily be part of the microscopic colitis process and that both entities could simply be concomitant has not been evaluated. Our aim was to assess the frequency and severity of BAM in patients with microscopic colitis as well as in patients with previously unexplained functional chronic diarrhea. Likewise, we wanted to investigate the effect of cholestyramine on the induction and maintenance of remission of these conditions. A [75Se]HCAT abdominal retention test was performed in 26 patients with collagenous colitis, 25 with lymphocytic colitis, and 32 with previously unexplained functional chronic diarrhea. Patients with microscopic colitis who had BAM as well as a subgroup of eight collagenous colitis patients without BAM received treatment with cholestyramine. All patients with previously unexplained chronic diarrhea who had BAM were treated with cholestyramine. Twenty-two (43.1%) patients with microscopic colitis and 24 (75%) patients with previously unexplained functional chronic diarrhea presented with BAM. The frequency of BAM was higher in lymphocytic colitis than in collagenous colitis (60% vs 27%; P = 0.025). Cholestyramine induced clinical remission in 19 of 22 patients with microscopic colitis and BAM, none of eight patients with collagenous colitis without BAM, and all patients with previously unexplained chronic diarrhea and BAM. In conclusion, BAM seems to be common in patients with microscopic colitis-mainly in lymphocytic colitis-and in those with previously unexplained functional chronic diarrhea, suggesting that idiopathic BAM and microscopic colitis are often concomitant conditions. In this setting, cholestyramine seems to be highly effective in stopping diarrhea.

Aged↗

Regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase mRNA levels in rat liver.

Addition of cholestyramine or cholestyramine plus mevinolin to the diet has been reported to increase the activity and mass of rat liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase. The present data show that these same dietary manipulations cause an induction of functional reductase mRNA. RNA was isolated from rat livers and added to an in vitro translation system, and the reductase was immunoprecipitated and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. One protein was specifically immunoprecipitated and was found to have a Mr of 90,000 on 0.5 M urea/sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels and a Mr of 94,000 on 8 M urea/sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gels. In animals fed rat chow supplemented with 5% cholestyramine and 0.1% mevinolin, reductase mRNA levels were 5.7-fold higher than in animals fed rat chow with 5% cholestyramine and were 16-fold higher than in animals fed rat chow with 5% cholestyramine and given mevalonolactone by stomach intubation. RNA isolated from animals fed a normal diet and killed at the nadir of the diurnal cycle of enzyme activity contained no detectable amounts of reductase mRNA as determined by this assay.

Animals↗

[Cost-effectiveness of pharmacologic treatments for the reduction of blood lipids].

BACKGROUND: The cost-effectiveness of hypolipemiant treatment with lovastatine (0.02, 0.04 and 0.08 g/day), cholestyramine (12 and 24 g/day), cholestipol (10 and 20 g/day) and gemfibrocyl (1.2 g/day) was estimated in individuals presenting hypercholesterolemia (> 200 mg/dl or 5.17 mmol/l) following dietetic treatment. METHODS: The cost-effectiveness relationship was measured in terms of cost per year of life gained comparing the net cost of the program with its effectiveness for each treatment studied. The net cost of the program was calculated taking the costs associated with hypolipemiant treatment into account and subtracting the estimated reduction of the costs of coronary heart disease attributed to the prevention program. The Framingham equation and the information concerning to the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and life expectancy according to age and sex in the Catalonian (Spain) population were used to estimate the effectiveness. RESULTS: The lesser to greater cost per year of life gained is lovastatine-0.02, cholestyramine-12, cholestipol-12, lovastatine-0.04, gemfibrocyl, cholestyramine-24, cholestipol-10, lovastatine-0.08 and cholestipol-20. In males from 45-49 years of age with cholesterol concentration of 300 mg/dl (7.76 mmol/l) the costs per year of life gained were 3.4 millions for lovastatine-0.02, 4.6 for cholestyramine-12, 4.8 for lovastatine-0.04, 5.4 for gemfibrocyl, 6.5 for cholestyramine-24, 7.8 for cholestipol-10, 8.1 for lovastatine 0.08 and 11.6 for cholestipol-20. In women the cost-effectiveness were 11.6, 15.4, 17.7, 21.3, 25.4, 25.9 and 37.1, respectively. The cost-effectiveness for the most effective treatments was less than 5 million of pesetas per year of life gained in males presenting a cholesterol concentration higher than 300 mg/dl (7.76 mmol/l) and those under the age of 65 years. In women the cost-effectiveness was lower than 10 million of pesetas per year of life gained in those presenting more than 340 mg/dl (8.79 mmol/l) under the age of 65 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that the administration of lovastatine at 0.02 g/day is the most effective hypolipemiant treatment in preventing coronary heart disease.

Adult↗

Effects of colestipol hydrochloride on drug absorption in the rat II.

The effects of colestipol hydrochloride, a hypocholesterolemic bile acid-binding anion-exchange polymer, on the GI absorption of drugs commonly used in humans were studied in the rat. Colestipol hydrochloride was given by gavage in single doses of 71.5 or 214.5 mg/kg, equivalent to 5 or 15 g, respectively, in a 70-kg human; controls received equivalent amounts of microcrystalline cellulose. Single oral doses of labeled drugs were given concurrently with colestipol hydrochloride or microcrystalline cellulose at the human therapeutic dose range on a milligrams per kilogram basis. Subsequent changes in serum drug levels were measured at several time periods, and absorption was evaluated as the total area under the time-concentration curve. Colestipol hydrochloride at either dose did not significantly alter the absorption of 6-14C-nicotinic acid, 7-3H-tetracycline, 35S-chlorpromazine, 12alpha-3H-digoxin, warfarin (alpha-14C-benzyl), or clofibrate (14C-carboxyl). In addition, the effects of 214.5 mg/kg of colestipol hydrochloride were compared with the same dose of cholestyramine with respect to the absorption of 3-14C-hydrochlorothiazide, 2-14C-phenobarbital, and 3H-digitoxin. Cholestyramine reduced absorption of hydrochlorothiazide by 42%, but colestipol hydrochloride had no significant effect. Neither resin altered phenobarbital or digitoxin absorption when compared with the the control, but a significant difference occurred between the two resins with digitoxin; areas under the time-concentration curve [in (dpm/0.1 ml serum) x hr] were: colestipol hydrochloride, 2001; cholestyramine, 16,300; and cellulose, 17, 067. These results indicate that colestipol hydrochloride and cholestyramine can differ in their effects on the absorption of certain drugs from the GI tract of the rat.

Animals↗