Effect of gemfibrozil on serum lipids in man

The effect of gemfibrozil, a new lipid-lowering agent, was studied in 22 patients. Each patient served as his own control in a double blind study. The administration of gemfibrozil, for a period of 24 months, 1200 mg daily, reduced mean serum triglyceride levels by 45.6% (p less than 0.001) and mean serum cholesterol levels by 8.3% (p less than 0.001). Mean serum HDL cholesterol was increased by 32.3% (p less than .0001) and mean serum LDL cholesterol levels were decreased by 11.4% (p less than 0.01). Mean serum VLDL cholesterol was decreased by 45.9% (p less than 0.001). A 3-hour glucose-tolerance test was done in each patient during a placebo-control period and during the administration of gemfibrozil. Mean plasma glucose was moderately increased during the administration of gemfibrozil at all points on the glucose tolerance curve, and to levels of significance at one (p less than 0.05) and two hours (p less than 0.02). There was no effect of the drug on serum immunoreactive insulin. No subjective side effects were apparent.