Hypolipidemic activity of tetrakis-mu-(trimethylamine-boranecarboxylato)-bis(trimethylamin e- carboxyborane)-dicopper(II) in rodents and its effect on lipid metabolism.

A binuclear copper(II) complex was shown to have potent hypolipidemic activity in rats and mice at low doses, i.e., 2.5-10 mg/kg/d. The agent moderately lowered liver ATP-dependent citrate lyase, acetyl CoA synthetase, and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activities in vivo. The appetite of the animal was reduced by drug treatment, and orally administered cholesterol absorption from the intestine was markedly lowered. Higher lipid levels were found in the chyme and the feces, indicating accelerated excretion of lipids by the drug, probably via the biliary route. Organs, e.g., liver and small intestine, as well as serum lipoprotein levels, demonstrated lower lipid content after drug administration. Thus, this chemical class of agents may have potential as a hypolipidemic agent in humans.