Teratological study of the hypolipidaemic drugs etofylline clofibrate (VULM) and fenofibrate in Swiss mice.

Teratological studies of the hypolipidaemic drugs etofylline clofibrate (VULM) and fenofibrate were carried out in mice. Pregnant mice were given etofylline clofibrate and fenofibrate in doses 11.7, 117.1, and 585.5 mg/kg orally from day 7 to 16 of gestation. Terminal maternal body weight was significantly decreased after all doses of etofylline clofibrate in a non-dose-related fashion compared to the control group. The foetuses were examined on day 19 of gestation. They were weighed and inspected for external, skeletal and visceral abnormalities. The low and middle doses of etofylline clofibrate and fenofibrate had no adverse effects on embryofoetal development. The highest etofylline clofibrate dose induced a significant decrease of foetal weight at term, likewise postimplantation loss was significantly increased after the highest dose of fenofibrate. The incidence of external, skeletal and visceral anomalies was not dose-dependent. In this study no teratogenic effects were detected, yet with the highest etofylline clofibrate and fenofibrate doses some foetotoxic effects were observed.