[Therapeutic effects of nicofibrate on diabetic hyperlipemia]

The plasma lipid picture before, during and after 4 months of administering p-chloro-phenoxy-alpha-isobutyrrate of 3-hydroxy-methylpyridine hydrochloride (Nicofibrate) in a group of diabetics was studied. Treatment led to a significant reduction in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides and brought the lipoprotein picture back within the norm. Nicofibrate did not lead to significant increases in uricaemia nor to any worsening in carbohydrate tolerance. At the doses used, a significant drop in plasma prothrombinic activity was encountered, while no noteworthy variations were observed in the other biohumoral parameters examined. In the light of these results, the various aetiopathogenetic aspects of the hyperlipaemia so frequently observed in diabetes mellitus are discussed.