Influence of beclobrate and eniclobrate on cholesterol metabolism in rats.

Two new hypocholesterolemic compounds, ethyl-(+/-)-2-[[alpha-(p-chlorophenyl)-p-tolyl]-oxy]-2-methylbutyrate (Sgd 24 774, beclobrate) and the 3-pyridinylmethyl ester (eniclobrate), have been studied in normocholesterolemic rats. The two compounds are hepatomegalic and they lower serum and liver cholesterol levels but raise liver triglyceride levels. They also reduce the percentage of esterified cholesterol present in the serum. Beclobrate enhances hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity but does not affect cholesterol-7 alpha hydroxylase. Eniclobrate, on the other hand, increases activity of the hydroxylase but not of HMG-CoA reductase. Neither compound affects cholesterol absorption.