[Effect of cimetidine on free fatty acid liberation]

Certain studies have brought to light the relationship between the administration of cimetidine and alterations of the lipidic metabolism. The changes in cholesterol levels observed after cimetidine administration have not yet been satisfactorily explained, at least in certain aspects. This paper studies free fatty acid behavior in a group of healthy volunteers who were given a 600 mg infusion of cimetidine. A significant drop (p less than 0.05) in fatty acids was found in these subjects in comparison with isolated physiological saline solution infusion. Our results imply that this fatty acid process may be involved in the lipid metabolism changes brought on by cimetidine administration.