Tocofibrate (tocopheryl 2-(p-chlorophenoxy) isobutyrate); a new peroxisomotropic compound, and its hypocholesterolemic activity in cholesterol-fed rats.

The effect of tocofibrate (tocopheryl 2-(p-chlorophenoxy) isobutyrate) on cholesterol levels in rats fed a high-fat cholesterol diet was investigated. The efficacy of tocofibrate in reducing blood cholesterol levels was comparable to that of clofibrate, a compound with known hypocholesterolemic activity. To investigate further the mechanism underlying the action of tocofibrate, the intracellular distribution of the compound in liver was examined. The results indicate that the distribution of tocofibrate clearly differs from that of both clofibrate and alpha-tocofibrate is primarily associated with its effect upon liver peroxisomes.