Abstract
The hypolipidemic effects of bezafibrate were examined in normal rats and an experimentally induced hyperlipidemic model of rats. Oral administration of bezafibrate at 1 mg/kg/day or more to normal rats for 7 days significantly decreased serum triglyceride (TG) and at 3 mg/kg/day or more for 7 days caused significant reduction of serum total cholesterol (TC). A single oral dose of 100 mg/kg of bezafibrate significantly inhibited the increase of serum TC and TG in hyperlipidemic rats induced by Triton WR-1339. When normal rats were given 75% fructose solution for 7 days, serum TG increased in concentration about four times. Oral administration of bezafibrate for 7 days at 1 mg/kg/day or more inhibited the increase of serum TG in this model. Serum TC increased in concentration about twice in 1 % cholesterol diet-fed rats for 8 weeks. Oral administration of bezafibrate at 30 mg/kg/day or more inhibited the increase of serum TC. These results suggest that bezafibrate is effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.