Effect of Hypocholesterolemic Agents on Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption. ∗

Abstract

Summary

1. The direct effect of several blood cholesterol-lowering agents on intestinal absorption of cholesterol-4-C¹⁴ was studied in lymph-fistula rats. 2. MK-135 (cholestyramine) and pectin caused significant reductions in lymph total cholesterol and absorption of cholesterol-4-C¹⁴. 3. With MK-135, the larger of 2 doses studied also reduced absorption of endogenous cholesterol from the intestine. 4. Cholesterol trimethyl-acetate, nicotinuric acid and pyridine-3-acetic acid had no effect on cholesterol absorption or lymph cholesterol levels. 5. In all groups where significant cholesterol absorption occurred, the percentage esterification of absorbed cholesterol was constant (88–93%), irrespective of the extent of absorption.