Serum profile of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia under xantinol--nicotinate (XN) medication.

The effect of 50 mg/kg body weight Xantinol-nicotinate (XN) on serum lipids and on non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) was tested in 94 out-patients with hyperlipoproteinemia Types IIa, IIb, IV and V. The lipids were measured before treatment, during a 3-week period of drug administration and 10 days after rejection. In each group of hyperlipoproteinemic patients the lipid lowering effect of XN was accompanied by a constant fall in serum NEFA levels. The time dependent course of NEFA showed that the higher the initial level, the longer the time span required to achieve the lowest values. In the context of the partially conflicting data on the hypolipidemic action of nicotinic acid and its derivatives, it is suggested that the constant decrease in NEFA induced by XN treatment might contribute significantly to the lipid lowering effect of this drug.