Protective effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid in alcohol-induced lipemia.

Oral administration of l g of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG) before the ingestion of whiskey and a fatty meal markedly reduced the elevation of serum triglycerides, beta-lipoproteins, phospholipids, and cholesterol in man. In rats receiving an ethanol and corn oil mixture, HMG also inhibited the increase in postprandial serum and liver lipids. A comparative study of HMG and nicotinic acid in rats showed that, therapeutically, 50 mg MHG/kg body weitht is equivalent to 200 mg nicotinic acid/kg body weight in offering almost total protection against lipemic effects of ethanol.