antilipidemic

antilipidemic

[an′tilip′idē′mik]

Etymology: Gk, anti + lipos, fat, haima, blood

1 pertaining to a regimen, diet, or agent that reduces the level of lipids in the serum. Antilipidemic diets and drugs are prescribed to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis for two reasons: atheromatous plaques contain free cholesterol, and lower serum cholesterol levels and a lower incidence of coronary artery disease are found in populations consuming a low-fat diet than in those on a high-fat diet.

2 an antilipidemic drug. A number of pharmacologic agents are used to reduce serum lipid levels, bile acid sequestrants, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Cholestyramine and colestipol exert their antilipidemic action by combining with bile acids in the intestine to form an insoluble complex that is excreted in the feces; they may reduce serum cholesterol levels but prevent the absorption of essential fat-soluble vitamins and may be associated with several serious side effects. A newer class of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors interfere with the biosynthesis of cholesterol. See also hyperlipidemia.