Neomycin and plasma lipoproteins in type II hyperlipoproteinemia

Neomycin, a nonabsorbable aminoglycoside antibiotic, has been shown to exert a hypocholesterolemic effect in man. In a 9-mo, double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the effect of neomycin, 2 gm/day, on plasma lipoproteins, as well as its safety, was described in 20 subjects with type II hyperlipoproteinemia. A 15% (50 mg%) decline in plasma cholesterol concentration was observed with neomycin. Most of this effect resulted from a 41 mg% (16%) decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration. No significant or consistent effect on the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed. Monthly audiologic and renal evaluation disclosed no oto- or nephrotoxicity. Neomycin treatment in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinemia is an inexpensive and effective means of lowering the concentration of low-density lipoproteins and is free of significant side effects over a 3-mo period.