Effect of Neomycin, Para-Aminosalicylic-Acid and Other Antibacterial Drugs on Serum Cholesterol Level of Man

Abstract

Neomycin was given orally to 18 patients at the daily dose of 1.5 to 2 g for periods varying between 4 and 20 weeks. Mean serum cholesterol levels were decreased significantly in each patient by 17 to 29%, and were maintained low for the duration of the administration of neomycin. The average fall for the group was 21%. The intramuscular administration of neomycin to 5 patients for a period of 3 weeks failed to alter serum cholesterol levels. The oral administration of 12 g of para-aminosalicylic-acid to 2 patients lowered serum cholesterol concentrations significantly in each, whereas the daily dose of 6 g had no effect on serum cholesterol levels. When phthalylsulfathiazole, isoniazid, dihydrostreptomycin, oxytetracycline, polymyxin B sulfate, bacitracin and novobiocin were given orally, no appreciable changes in serum cholesterol concentrations resulted.