Changes in the lipoproteins of rabbits on a high-fat, cholesterol-free diet; preventive action of metformin.

Endogenous hypercholesterolemia induced by a cholesterol-free, high-fat diet corresponds to an increase in the level of low density lipoproteins and their enrichment in cholesterol esters. Metformin has no effect on the rise in plasma cholesterol but completely prevents the appearance of cholesterol-rich low-density lipoprotein.