Hypercholesterolemic effect of indomethacin in the rat

The effect of indomethacin on serum lipid constituents of the albino rat was investigated. Indomethacin 1 mg/kg, but not 10 mg/kg body weight, orally administered daily for 3 days, significantly raised total serum cholesterol level from a control value of 58.17 +/- 3.40 to 108.50 +/- 15.3 (N = 10; P less than 0.05) and free cholesterol level from 52.96 +/- 2.21 to 101.17 +/- 9.52 (N = 10; P less than 0.05). Indomethacin, 1 mg/kg p.o. daily for 3 days, also raised serum triglycerides from 45.0 +/- 7.33 to 118.30 +/- 9.05 (N = 10; P less than 0.001), while it reduced phospholipid content from 189.57 +/- 58.04 to 98.75 +/- 25.85 (N = 10; P less than 0.05). The higher dose of indomethacin 10 mg/kg p.o. daily for three days resulted in a significant increase in non-esterified fatty acids, triglycerides and total calcium, while it reduced total bilirubin, phosphorous and total lipid content of rat serum. The results indicate that according to the dose administered, indomethacin could lead to serious derangements in lipid profiles.