Hypolipidemic effects of S-methylmethionine (vitamin U) using various experimental procedures

The hypolipidemic and anti-atheromatous effect of S-methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (Vitamin U, MMSC) were investigated using various experimental procedures. In the results, orally administered MMSC markedly normalized dietary-induced hyperlipidemia in rats and rabbits, demonstrating the lowering effects on plasma total cholesterol, beta-lipoprotein and phospholipids, and no appreciable effect on plasma triglycerides. In normolipidemic and a surfactant-induced hyperlipidemic rats, MMSC did not decrease plasma lipids level, nor MMSC-affected plasma lipoprotein lipase and liver catalase activities. In contrast, clofibrate showed little or no effect on plasma lipids level of dietary-induced hyperlipidemic rats, with exception of plasma triglycerides, whereas clofibrate lowered plasma lipids level in normolipidemic and surfactant-induced hyperlipidemic rats, and enhanced liver catalase activity. From the results, the lipids lowering effects of MMSC using various procedures were clearly differentiated from those of clofibrate. Additionally, the anti-atheromatous effect of MMSC was histopathologically demonstrated in dietary-induced ahteromatous rabbits. A unique hypolipidemic effect of MMSC is discussed from therapeutic viewpoint.