Effects of bezafibrate on the serum lipoprotein lipid and apolipoprotein composition, lipoprotein triglyceride removal capacity and the fatty acid composition of the plasma lipid esters

Abstract Bezafibrate has been shown to effectively reduce elevated levels of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in hypertriglyceridaemia. It has also been claimed to be particularly effective in increasing high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations. In the present study 15 hypertriglyceridaemic patients (9 type IIB, 1 type III and 5 type IV) were investigated before and after 2 months' treatment with bezafibrate (600 mg daily) in an effort to clarify further the effects of the drug on lipoprotein metabolism. The serum triglycerides decreased by 46% ( P P P P P P P P While the concentration of apolipoprotein (apo) B decreased by 15% ( P P P P P P Significant increases of both the plasma post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity (+20%, P 2 ) at the intravenous fat tolerance test (+30%, P Bezafibrate treatment caused significant changes in the plasma lipid fatty acid composition, mainly by increasing the mono-unsaturated fatty acids (palmitoleate and oleate) concomitant with a significant decrease in the content of linoleate. Very similar changes have been recorded during clofibrate treatment. The mechanisms behind these changes as well as their significance are at present obscure.