The effect of acebutolol on plasma apoproteins and HDL cholesterol subfractions.

The effect on plasma apoproteins A-I and B and HDL cholesterol subfractions of acebutolol given orally over a 6-month period to 18 patients with essential hypertension was studied. The concentration of apoprotein A-I decreased during acebutolol treatment: statistical significance was reached at 3 (p less than 0.05) and 6 months (p less than 0.01). The level of apoprotein B increased slightly but not significantly. The ratio of apo A-I to apo B decreased significantly during acebutolol treatment. The concentration of total HDL cholesterol tended to be slightly but not significantly higher during therapy than before it. This increase was due to the increase of HDL3 cholesterol and this increase was significant (p less than 0.05) at 3 months. The level of HDL2 cholesterol did not change significantly during acebutolol therapy.