Effect of fenofibrate on serum lipoproteins in subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia and combined hyperlipidemia.

The effects on serum lipoproteins were studied in 8 patients with familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia and 9 patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia during an 8-week treatment with fenofibrate. VLDL, IDL, LDL and HDL were isolated by ultracentrifugation and precipitation. Lipids and apolipoproteins A-I and B were determined by enzymatic and immunonephelometric techniques, respectively. In hypercholesterolemia, administration of fenofibrate resulted in decreases of VLDL, IDL, and LDL (cholesterol -58.3%, -28.6%, and -24.4%), while, in combined hyperlipidemia, treatment with the drug lowered VLDL and IDL (-33.3% and -42.9%). HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I increased only in hypercholesterolemia (+22.9% and +6.9%).