PMID: 8964557May 10, 1996Paper

Gemfibrozil in the elderly. Effects on lipid metabolism

Fortschritte der Medizin
T Brosche, G Kipfmüller

Abstract

Twenty patients with mixed hyperlipidemia type IIb were treated for two weeks with the lipid lowering agent gemfibrozil at a dose of 900 mg/day. The mean age of the 10 younger ambulatory patients was 32.3 +/- 4.1 years, that of the 10 geriatric inpatients 76.9 +/- 7.1 years. Fasting blood samples were drawn from the patients on days 1, 7 and 14, and plasma lipids and apolipoproteins determined. In addition, the plasma phospholipids were isolated and the fatty acid composition determined by gas chromatography. After only two weeks treatment with gemfibrozil, triglyceride and phospholipid plasma levels were significantly decreased. The therapeutic effects were more pronounced in the elderly patients, mainly female and most with diabetes mellitus, than in the younger, predominantly male hyperlipidemic patients. In accordance with the mechanism of action of gemfibrozil, the initially pathologically elevated levels of plasma free fatty acids in the geriatrics returned to normal. Furthermore, the fraction of long chain saturated fatty acids among the phospholipids became smaller, suggesting an impairment of chain elongation of fatty acids in the hepatic microsomes.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.