[Effect of the lipid-lowering agent, procetofen, on the makeup of human biliary lipids]

The effect of lipid-lowering treatment with procetofen (3 x 100 mg/day for 4-6 weeks) on the cholesterol saturation index (S.I.) of bile has been studied in 6 patients with type IIa or IIb pattern hyperlipoproteinemia. Compared with a control period with placebo, the S.I. was increased by more than 20% during active treatment in 2 patients. Oversaturation was reached in one case. In the other 4 patients, the changes did not exceed 20% of the control value. Thus, increased lithogenicity of bile does not appear to be a frequent effect of procetofen. A larger number of patients should therefore be studied to establish its true incidence.