[Therapy with fibrates and vitamin D metabolism]

The authors investigated in 29 patients with familial hyperlipoproteinaemia the effect of fibrate treatment (Duolip forte, Merckle, and Lipanthyl, Richter) on vitamin D metabolism. In 10 patients treated for 6 months with daily oral doses of 500 mg Duolip forte they did not prove changes of plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, however, they recorded a rise of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 plasma level. In 19 patients who were given for 6 months 300 mg Lipanthyl per day by the oral route they proved a significant decline of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D plasma levels and a rise of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 plasma levels. The authors maintain that fibrates influence plasma concentrations of vitamin D metabolites either directly or indirectly by reducing cholesterol plasma levels.