The effect of neomycin on plasma alpha tocopherol levels in type II hyperlipoproteinemia.

Use of oral neomycin as a hypocholesterolemic agent was found to decrease plasma alpha tocopherol levels during a 9-month, randomized, crossover placebo-controlled clinical trial with controlled diet. Pooled data from each treatment sequence showed a placebo alpha-tocopherol level of 1,896 +/- 643 micrograms/dl, and a neomycin alpha-tocopherol concentration of 1,449 +/- 451 micrograms/dl (p less than .01). When all subjects were on neomycin simultaneously, the level increased to 1,665 +/- 614 micrograms/dl (p less than .05 from placebo). Normal plasma alpha-tocopherol ranges from 400-1,000 micrograms/dl. Neomycin treatment reduces but does not normalize elevated levels of alpha-tocopherol found in Type II hyperlipoproteinemia.