Effects of clofibrate treatment on plasma triglyceride concentration, plasma post-heparin clearing factor lipase (lipoprotein lipase) activity and serum clearing factor lipase activating ability in maturity-onset diabetes.

The effects of clofibrate on plasma triglyceride concentration, plasma post-heparin clearing factor lipase activity and serum clearing factor lipase activating ability were studied in a group of maturity-onset diabetic patients. Significant falls in both triglyceride concentration and in activating ability occurred within 2 weeks of beginning clofibrate treatment and, when treatment was stopped after 4 weeks, these changes were reversed within a further 4 weeks. Plasma post-heparin clearing factor lipase activity, on the other hand, was significantly increased during clofibrate administration and fell again when the treatment was stopped. The possible interrelationships of these findings are discussed.