MTP inhibitor decreases plasma cholesterol levels in LDL receptor-deficient WHHL rabbits by lowering the VLDL secretion

Eur J Pharmacol. 2001 Nov 9;431(1):127-31. doi: 10.1016/s0014-2999(01)01419-4.

Abstract

To examine whether a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP)-inhibitor is effective in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, we administered (2S)-2-cyclopentyl-2-[4-[(2,4-dimethyl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indol-9-yl)methyl]phenyl]-N-[(1S)-2-hydroxy-1-phenylethyl]ethanamide (Implitapide), a new MTP inhibitor, to low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-receptor-deficient Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits at doses of 3, 6, and 12 mg/kg for 4 weeks. In the 12 mg/kg group, the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were decreased by 70% and 45%, respectively, and the very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) secretion rate was decreased by 80%. The composition of newly secreted VLDL was similar in each group. This suggests that Implitapide diminished the number of VLDL particles secreted from the liver. Although the ratio of vitamin E/LDL was not altered by Implitapide, triglyceride accumulation and a decrease in vitamin E were observed in the liver. In conclusion, an inhibition of VLDL secretion led to a decrease of plasma LDL in WHHL rabbits, and MTP inhibitors should have hypolipidemic effects against homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cholesterol / blood*
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / blood
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / drug therapy*
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Indoles / therapeutic use
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL / blood
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use
  • Rabbits
  • Receptors, LDL / blood
  • Receptors, LDL / deficiency*
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Vitamin E / blood

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Indoles
  • Lipoproteins, VLDL
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Triglycerides
  • microsomal triglyceride transfer protein
  • Vitamin E
  • Cholesterol
  • implitapide