Studies on Drug-induced Lipidosis: III. Lipid Composition of the Liver and Some Other Tissues in Clinical Cases of “Niemann-Pick-like Syndrome” Induced by 4, 4′-Diethylaminoethoxyhexestrol

Abstract

Lipid composition of liver and some other tissues was determined in seven cases of “foam cell syndrome” which was induced by the administration of 4, 4′-diethylamino-ethoxyhexestrol dihydrochloride. Free cholesterol and total phospholipids were increased in the liver. Phospholipid analysis showed marked increases in lysobisphos-phatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol in liver. An increase in lysobisphosphatidic acid was also detected in spleen, muscle, lymph nodes and urinary sediment. However, this phospholipid was not increased in leucocytes. Accumulation of 4, 4′-diethylaminoethoxyhexestrol itself was detected by thin layer chromatography of total lipids. Gas chromatographic analysis of the total sterol showed an increase in desmosterol in tissues and in blood serum. The syndrome resembles Niemann-Pick disease in some respects. Discussion is made on the mechanism of accumulation of the peculiar glycerophospholipid, lysobisphosphatidic acid.