Gemfibrozil lowers plasma lipids and increases polyunsaturated fatty acid content and oxidative susceptibility of lipoproteins in hypertriglyceridemia.

Background: Gemfibrozil is an effective drug in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and its effects on morbidity and mortality seem out of proportion to its lipid lowering actions. There is considerable interest in its potential effects on lipoprotein fatty acid composition and consequent effect on oxidative susceptibility. Experimental results are not conclusive regarding whether gemfibrozil alters lipid composition or oxidative susceptibility of lipoproteins in humans.