Effect of polyenyl phosphatidyl choline on clofibrate-induced increase in LDL cholesterol

In a double-blind, randomised, cross-over trial clofibrate and a combination of polyenyl phosphatidyl choline (PPC) plus clofibrate were tested in 67 patients with hyperlipoproteinemia. Each treatment lasted for 4 weeks and was separated by a 4 week placebo period. The daily doses were clofibrate 1.2 g and PPC 1.8 g + clofibrate 1.2 g, respectively. The results revealed that polypenyl phosphatidyl choline prevented the elevation of LDL-cholesterol induced by clofibrate treatment, and that the lipid-lowering potency of the combination did not differ significantly from that of clofibrate. Since elevation of LDL-cholesterol is considered to increase the risk of coronary heart disease, the combination appears to offer a therapeutic advantage. Despite the significance of this clinical observation, a final decision may only be obtained from a prospective, long term investigation in patients with coronary heart disease and hyperlipoproteinemia.