The Toxic Effects of Clofibrate and Its Metabolite on Mammalian Skeletal Muscle: An Electrophysiologigal Study

Abstract
Membrane electrical parameters of rat extensor digitorum longus muscles were analysed in vitro, with intracellular microelectrodes, after chronic treatment with Clofibrate or after in vitro application of chloro-phenoxyisobutyric acid, the in vivo metabolite of Clofibrate. Clofibrate caused only a 38% decrease in the membrane chloride conductance while its metabolite induced a large decrease of chloride conductance and drastic changes in the excitability characteristics of the muscles sampled. The capability of Clofibrate to induce two types of myotonia is discussed.