Hypolipidemic activity of 6-amino-2-mercapto-5-methyl-pyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid and related derivatives in rodents.

6-Amino-2-mercapto-5-methylpyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid proved to be a potent hypolipidemic agent in rodents at the low dose of 20 mg/kg/d. The agent effectively reduced the liver enzyme activities required for the synthesis of triglycerides and cholesterol. Lower lipid levels in tissue were observed in mice but not in rats. Preliminary studies indicate that the agent accelerated the excretion of cholesterol and its metabolites from the body. The agents lowered the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol content and raised the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol content. These changes in lipoprotein cholesterol content suggest that the agent may be helpful in protecting against coronary disease. The agent is more effective than the commercially available agent, i.e., clofibrate at 150 mg/kg/d.