Clofibrate and androsterone effect on serum lipids

Abstract

The effects of clofibrate in combination with androsterone (Atromid) upon serum lipids was investigated over a 10-month period in a series of 24 patients comprising 14 men and 10 women. Significant lowering of each compartment of serum lipids was observed as follows; mean cholesterol, -82 mg/100 cc (range 0 to -554 mg/100 cc); mean serum triglyceride, -254 mg/100 cc (range 0 to -3688 mg/100 cc); and serum phospholipid -47 mg/100 cc (range 0 to -482 mg/100 cc). Unpleasant symptoms reported by patients, eg, eye pain, decreased vision, digestive disturbance, dizziness, dry mouth, and leg cramps were not attributed to the drug because of their transient presence before, during, and after therapy. Results of urinalysis, blood count, alkaline phosphatase, and serum bilirubin remained essentially unchanged during the investigative period. Ten subjects exhibited slight rises in liver function studies to borderline levels: S of serum glutamic oxalic transaminase (SCOT), 2 of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and 3 of thymol turbidity. All determinations later fell within the normal range during prolonged therapy with the product. A 3rd patient exhibited a fluctuating LDH level independent of the therapy. The only significant toxic reaction noted was an erythematous facial rash observed in one female patient who had hypertensive vascular disease. When the patient was rechallenged with the drug 2 years later, the rash reappeared within 8 hr, of the ingestion of 2 tablets (1 gm) of drug. Of 6 subjects receiving long-term anticoagulant therapy, 5 exhibited a reduction in need of anticoagulant drug during therapy with the mixture. Dosage requirements returned to pretreatment levels when the drug was discontinued. It is concluded that the mixture of clofibrate and androsterone effectively lowers each compartment of the serum lipids without serious toxic effects upon liver, kidney, or bone marrow.