A study of hypolipidemic effects of Metronidazole

Abstract

Metronidazole, a synthetic derivative of the nitroimidazole class is a known antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent. The hypolipidemic effect of metronidazole was not known. The authors noticed it incidentally for the first time. After quazi experimental studies on several cases, it was revealed that 750 mg of metronidazole for 10 days significantly decreased serum cholesterol. This trial was performed in three stages of 14 days each as challenge, de-challenge and re-challenge on 30 subjects including 6 male and 24 female in the age limits of 40 to 73 years (mean 58.7 years). Results of present trial revealed that metronidazole 750 mg daily in divided doses for 14 days decreased the average of total blood cholesterol in 30 cases by 14.7% (P=0.025) and LDL cholesterol by 19.1%. (P=0.005). Decrease in serum cholesterol and triglyceride and increase in HDL cholesterol also accompanied fall of LDL cholesterol level. While comparing the mean of final results in 19 cases, with that of 30 subjects pre trial serum lipid profile it was revealed that treatment with 84 tobles of metronidazole in divided doses within six weeks of whole trial period was able to decrease the mean total choleterol, LDL cholesterol and serum triglyceride by 16.23% . 21.2% and 23.9% respectively along with a rise of mean HDL cholesterol in large scale to evaluate the long-term benefit of metronidazole in controlling lipid disorders.