The effect of Melinamide [N-(α-Methylbenzyl) linoleamide], a cholesterol absorption inhibitory agent, on lipid metabolism for hypercholesterolemic diabetic patients were investigated.
Thirty three diabetic subjects whose plasma cholesterol greater than 250mg/dl were given 1, 500mg/day of Melinamide per orally for six months. Plasma cholesterol (ch), triglyceride (TG), HDL, HDL2 and HDL3-ch, LDL-ch and Apoprotein (Apo) A-I, A-II concentrations were determined every two months during study.
Though plasma TG showed no remarkable change, plasma and LDL-ch fell by 15% and 17 (p<0.05). HDL-ch also decreased significantly (p<0.05) mainly due to lowering of HDL2-ch. Plasma Apo A-I level did not change but Apo A-II decreased significantly during study indicating relative Apo A-I enrichment of HDL.
These results indicated that Melinamide is a potent agent for lowering plasma cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic diabetic subjects. Whether HDL decrement associated with compositional change affect the development of atherosclerosis must be explored further.
