Sustained-release bezafibrate corrects lipid abnormalities in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

A study was undertaken in 24 Chinese patients on maintenance continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, using bezafibrate in its sustained-release form to correct lipid abnormalities. Six patients who received 400 mg/day developed severe muscle weakness with grossly elevated creatine phosphokinase activities within 3 weeks. The drug was discontinued and the symptoms disappeared. The remaining 18 patients received 400 mg/week for 8 weeks. There was a significant decrease in serum triglyceride (2.74 +/- 0.33 to 1.86 +/- 0.17 mmol/l at the 4th week and 1.65 +/- 0.4 mmol/l at the 8th week). Concomitantly, serum total cholesterol decreased. Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly (from 1.18 +/- 0.082 to 1.36 +/- 0.060 mmol/l at the 4th week and 1.40 +/- 0.103 mmol/l at the 8th week). Post-heparin lipoprotein and hepatic lipases were measured by a substrate-specific method. The former increased significantly (p = 0.000) after bezafibrate treatment while the latter did not change. All parameters of lipid metabolism returned towards baseline 4 weeks after discontinuation of therapy. The drug was well tolerated at 400 mg/week and there was no significant rise in serum creatine phosphokinase.