Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity in hypercholesterolemic subjects and in hypercholesterolemic subjects treated with clofibrate.

The lecithin:cholesterol acyl transfer reaction in the plasma of hypercholesterolemic subjects and of hypercholesterolemic subjects treated with clofibrate was studied. An increased enzyme activity was found in the first group of patients, while lecithin:cholesterol acyl transfer activity tended to normalize in the second group. This increased enzyme activity might be a defense mechanism against the accumulation of cholesterol in the arterial wall.