Lipid-lowering and antiatherosclerotic effect of NK-104, a potent 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits.

NK-104 ((+)-monocalcium bis{(3R,5S,6E)-7-[2-cyclopropyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-quinolyl]-3,5-dihydroxy-6-heptenoate}, CAS 147526-32-7) an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-metylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, was administered in drinking water (0.5 mg/kg equivalent) to Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits for 26 weeks. It lowered plasma total cholesterol (TC,7-20 %) and triglyceride (TG, 16-39 %) levels throughout the experimental period due to a significant reduction of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C, 61-62 %, p