Plasma lipoprotein composition in cholesterol fed rabbits treated with pirinixil (BR 931), a new lipid lowering agent

Pirinixil, a new hypolipidemic agent of low toxicity was administered to Burgundy fawn rabbits, kept on a hypercholesterolemic diet. Although a marked depression of plasma cholesterol levels was not present in hypercholesterolemic (HC) rabbits following drug treatment, significant changes in the apolipoprotein and phospholipid (PL) composition of the very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in these animals were observed. In particular, the apoprotein pattern of the HC + pirinixil VLDL in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a decrease of apoprotein E with increased apo A-I, as compared to the HC rabbits. In the PL moiety of VLDL, a reduction of sphingomyelin with increased phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine was observed. These findings indicate a potential interest for pirinixil in atherosclerosis prevention.