Effect of Hypocholesterolemic Agents on Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption.

Abstract

The direct effect of several blood cholesterol-lowering agents on intestinal absorption of cholesterol-4-Cl4 was studied in lymph-fistula rats. Cholestyramine, or MK-135, and pectin caused significant reductions in lymph total cholesterol and absorption of cholesterol-4-C14. With MK-135, the larger of 2 doses studied completely abolished exogenous cholesterol absorption and also reduced absorption of endogenous cholesterol from the intestine. Cholesterol trimethylacetate, nicotinuric acid and pyridine-3-acetic acid had no effect on cholesterol absorption or lymph cholesterol levels. In all groups where significant cholesterol absorption occurred, the percentage esterification of absorbed cholesterol remained constant (88-93%), irrespective of the extent of absorption.