[Estimation of the efficacy of screened natural hypolipidemic compounds in a model of rabbit hypercholesterolemia].

Thirteen strains producing hydrophobic compounds with high hypolipidemic activity were screened among 657 tested strains of fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria with the use of 2 models. The further aim of the study was to estimate the efficacy of the compounds with respect to their ability to inhibit cholesterol synthesis in vivo. For that purpose a model of hyperlipidemia in rabbits was used. The model provided screening of 9 new compounds that showed satisfactory hypolipidemic effect evident from a significant decrease of the lipid levels in the rabbit serum. The study of the serum lipid profile revealed that the inhibitory effect of compounds No. 16 and No. 281 was similar to that of lovastatin whereas the serum level of general cholesterol remained decreased for a longer period. Compound No. 25 was of interest because of its possible use in low doses and significant effect on the serum triglyceride fraction.