Effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid administration on bile lipid composition in humans

The effects of the lipid-lowering agent 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMGA) on serum lipids and on biliary lipid composition were evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in normolipidemic volunteers. After 4 weeks of HMGA administration (1 g three times a day orally) serum total cholesterol showed a significant decrease with regard to both pretreatment values and corresponding values of controls. The bile lipid molar percentage composition and the cholesterol saturation index showed no modification after HMGA and did not differ from the values obtained in the placebo group. These findings indicate that HMGA exerts no adverse effects on bile lipid composition in humans, differing from other hypolipidemic drugs currently in clinical use, which increase the bile cholesterol saturation index.