1995 年 18 巻 1 号 p. 55-64
The effects of simvastatin, a cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor, on plasma lipoprotein concentrations and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion were investigated in the rat. The results showed that simvastatin did not significantly modify plasma lipid levels but did increase the cholesterol level of apolipoprotein E-rich high-density lipoproteins (+31%). The treatment significantly reduced total VLDL secretion (-26%), assessed by VLDL-triacylglycerol accumulation in plasma after lipolysis inhibition by Triton WR 1379. Since intestinal VLDL production, which was measured in rats fed orotic acid in order to block the hepatic secretion of lipoproteins, was not changed, we deduced that simvastatin reduced by 50% the hepatic VLDL secretion. Furthermore, whole-body cholesterol production, assessed by the sterol balance, appeared inhibited in the rat after long-term simvastatin treatment.
