3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid and triton-induced hyperlipidemia in rats.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG) significantly decreased cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid levels in whole serum, serum beta-lipoproteins and liver of Triton-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Therapeutically 50 mg HMG/kg is equivalent to 200 mg nicotinic acid/kg in lowering all these lipid parameters. HMG may exert its hypolipidemic effect through inhibition of lipoprotein synthesis.