Effect of lovastatin on cholesterol absorption in cholesterol-fed rabbits

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin on some aspects of cholesterol metabolism in cholesterol-fed rabbits. The plasma cholesterol concentration was markedly lower in lovastatin-treated rabbits (6 mg/rabbit/day) compared to controls after 36 days of cholesterol-feeding (x +/- S.E.) (19 +/- 4 mmol/l, n = 9 versus 153 +/- 17 mmol/l, n = 7) (P < 0.00001). Intestinal absorption of cholesterol in such rabbits was reduced by 15% in lovastatin-treated rabbits (n = 21) compared to controls (n = 18) (P < 0.025). The results suggest that the hypocholesterolaemic effect of lovastatin in cholesterol-fed rabbits is associated with a decreased intestinal absorption of cholesterol.