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Comparison of the Cholesterol-Lowering Effects and Toxicity of D-003 and Lovastatin in Normocholesterolaemic Rabbits

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Abstract

Background: D-003 is a mixture of long-chain aliphatic primary acids isolated from sugar-cane wax and having cholesterol-lowering effects and a safety profile that have been proven in animals and in previous clinical studies in healthy volunteers. Lovastatin, the first member of the statin class, is an effective and well tolerated cholesterol-lowering drug. Some lovastatin-related adverse effects have been reported, and preclinical assessment has shown that the rabbit is the most sensitive species to lovastatin toxicity.

Objective: To compare the cholesterol-lowering effects and toxicity pattern of D-003 and lovastatin in normocholesterolaemic rabbits.

Methods: In order to study cholesterol-lowering effects, rabbits were randomly distributed into three groups (eight animals/group): one control group, only receiving the vehicle, and two groups treated with D-003 or lovastatin at 5 and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively. All treatments were orally administered for 30 days. To study toxicity, rabbits were distributed into four groups (six animals/group): one control group and three groups treated with D-003 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, or lovastatin 100 mg/kg.

Results: After 30 days, D-003 5 mg/kg and lovastatin 10 mg/kg significantly (p < 0.05) and similarly lowered serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels versus baseline. D-003, but not lovastatin, increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) significantly (p < 0.05), whereas only lovastatin decreased (p < 0.05) triglycerides. Low doses of both drugs did not change safety indicators. D-003 (200 and 400 mg/kg) and lovastatin (100 mg/kg) administered for 10 days reduced TC and LDL-C levels significantly (p < 0.05). HDL-C values increased significantly (p < 0.05) with D-003, but were unchanged with lovastatin. Neither treatment affected triglycerides. No significant changes in lipid profile were observed in the control groups of the two series. Lovastatin 100 mg/kg impaired bodyweight gain and food consumption versus the controls, while D-003 did not. Lovastatin 100 mg/kg increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT ) values (p < 0.05 versus baseline and controls) and liver weight (p < 0.05 versus controls). D-003 200 or 400 mg/kg did not affect AST, ALT or liver weight. Lovastatin 100 mg/kg, but not D-003 200 or 400 mg/kg, induced typical hepatocellular and renal tubular necrosis in the rabbits.

Conclusions: D-003 5 mg/kg/day administered orally for 30 days to normocholesterolaemic rabbits lowered LDL-C and TC, as did lovastatin 10 mg/ kg. D-003 was more effective in increasing HDL-C, while lovastatin was more effective in lowering triglycerides. Administration of higher doses for 10 days did not show D-003-related toxicity, but did demonstrate the typical pattern of lovastatin-induced toxicity in rabbits.

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Acknowledgements

This study was conducted through assistance from a research grant from the West Havana Scientific Pole.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Natural Products, National Center for Scientific Research (CNIC), Cubanacán, Ave 25 and 158, PO Box 6880, Havana City, Cuba

    Rafael Gámez, Sarahí Mendoza,  Rosa Mas, Miriam Noa, Lourdes Arruzazabala, Daysi Carbajal, Eddy Goicochea & Nilda Mendoza

  2. Medical Surgical Research Center, Havana City, Cuba

    Gladys Castaño & Meilis Mesa

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  1. Rafael Gámez
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  10. Nilda Mendoza
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Gámez, R., Mendoza, S., Mas, R. et al. Comparison of the Cholesterol-Lowering Effects and Toxicity of D-003 and Lovastatin in Normocholesterolaemic Rabbits. Drugs R&D 4, 219–229 (2003). https://doi.org/10.2165/00126839-200304040-00002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00126839-200304040-00002

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