Probucol reduces lysophosphatidylcholines in low-density lipoprotein

Objectives: Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) comes into notice as an important atherogenic substance. Methods: Since the effect of probucol, an antioxidative lipid-lowering drug , on LPC molecular species has not been elucidated, two LPC molecular speci es, stearoyl LPC (SLPC) and palmitoyl LPC (PLPC), were measured in LDL usin g high-pressure liquid chromatography. LDL was obtained from 11 hyperlipide mic patients, including 9 diabetic patients, in comparison with 11 age- and gender-matched controls. Results and conclusion: Hyperlipidemic patients showed nearly twofold highe r levels of SLPC and PLPC per gram of LDL protein than those of controls. A ll hyperlipidemic patients were treated with oral administration of 500 mg/ day of probucol for 3 months. Both LPCs in LDL were significantly reduced t o control levels and were increased again up to the pretreatment levels 4 w eeks after cessation of the treatment. Therefore, probucol has a potent eff ect in reducing LPC and may contribute to decreasing the atherogenicity of LDL.