@article{3045754,
    title = "HIGH-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HYDROXYPROPYLMETHYLCELLULOSE - A
CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING AGENT",
    author = "DRESSMAN, JB and ADAIR, CH and BARNETT, JL and BERARDI, RR and and DUNNKUCHARSKI, VA and JARVENPAA, KM and PARR, DD and SOWLE, CA and and SWIDAN, SZ and TOBEY, SW and REPPAS, C",
    journal = "Archives of Internal Medicine",
    year = "1993",
    volume = "153",
    number = "11",
    pages = "1345-1353",
    publisher = "AMER MEDICAL ASSOC",
    issn = "0003-9926, 1538-3679",
    doi = "10.1001/archinte.153.11.1345",
    abstract = "Background: We assessed the efficacy of a high-molecular-weight
hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (K8515) as a cholesterol-lowering agent,
the dose-response profile of its action, and the ability of adult
subjects to tolerate its ingestion at effective doses.
Methods: These studies were conducted at the Clinical Research Center of
The University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor. Efficacy was assessed
in 10 normal and 12 mildly hyperlipidemic subjects in double-blind,
randomized crossover trials of 1 and 2 weeks’ duration, respectively.
The dose-response profile was studied in 12 mildly hypercholesterolemic
subjects in a nonrandomized control trial with doses given in escalating
order. Tolerance was assessed by a questionnaire of adverse effects and
bowel movement habits in all subjects.
Results: We found that 10 g of K8515 ingested in a prehydrated form
three times a day with meals lowered total cholesterol levels by an
average of 1.45 mmol/L (56 mg/dL) (32%) in normal subjects within 1
week. In two studies in subjects with mildly elevated cholesterol levels
(with entry levels ranging from 5.35 mmol/L [207 mg/dL] to 6.70
nunol/L [260 mg/dL]), average reductions of 1.00 mmol/L (39 mg/dL)
(18%) and 1.15 mmol/L (45 mg/dL) (20%) were observed within the same
period. The effect was primarily due to a reduction in low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Low-density lipoprotein levels in normal
subjects were an average of 1.10 mmol/L (42 mg/dL) (38%) lower after a
week of 10 g of K8515 three times a day with meals, and in the two
studies in subjects with mild hyperlipidemia, the reductions in
low-density lipoprotein levels after 1 week were 0.95 mmol/L (37 mg/dL)
(23%) and 1.05 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) (25%). Although there was a tendency
for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels to decrease, this was
significant only in normal subjects. Decreases in cholesterol levels
were not accompanied by any rise in triglyceride levels. Dose-response
studies in those with mildly elevated cholesterol levels indicated that
it is possible to achieve a 15% decrease in low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol levels within 1 week at a dose of 6.7 g three times a day,
with minimal adverse effects.
Conclusions: These results suggest a role for high-molecular-weight
hydroxypropylmethylcellulose in the clinical treatment of mild
hypercholesterolemia."
}