Effect of clofibrate on cholesterol and lipid metabolism in ethanol - treated mice

The effects of chronic clofibrate administration were studied in long-term ethanol-fed an control mice. Long-term administration of ethanol to adult-mice resulted in an increase in liver and plasma total triglycerides and hepatic cholesterol levels as compared to the corresponding controls. Cloribrate feeding resulted in about 15-25% decrease in hepatic and plasma cholesterol levels in the ethanol-fed group. The administration of ethanol led to a rise in levels of hepatic triglycerides, plasma triglycerides, plasma free fatty acids and hepatic alpha-glycerophosphate. Treatment with clofibrate partially prevented the changes in the concentration of these metabolites and resulted in a significant increase in the activity of hepatic alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. Clofibrate administration resulted in about 20% increase in the rate of 14-C-cholesterol oxidation to 14-CO2. It is concluded that while clofibrate is able to retard ethanol-induced lipid accumulation in the liver, it is unable to completely prevent hepatic lipid accumulation.