Preventive effect of MK-733 (simvastatin), an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, on hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis induced by cholesterol feeding in rabbits.

MK-733 was found to prevent an increase of serum cholesterol levels in cholesterol-fed rabbits, and lovastatin also markedly inhibited their increase. MK-733 and lovastatin inhibited the increase of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and it slightly affected the high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. MK-733 and lovastatin suppressed the increase of serum phospholipid levels and slightly affected the triglyceride levels. MK-733 suppressed the development of atherosclerosis in coronary arteries and aorta, and lovastatin also diminished their development.