Effects of intravenous hyperalimentation of plasma-lipoproteins in severe familial hypercholesterolaemia.

The plasma-lipoprotein response to intravenous hyperalimentation was studied in three patients with severe familial hypercholesterolaemia. Hyperalimentation substantially lowered plasma concentrations of cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (L.D.L.P.), and high-density lipoproteins. The chemical composition of L.D.L.P. did not change. Triglyceride levels increased slightly in two patients and decreased in the third. Turnover of radiolabelled L.D.L.P. was disturbed as L.D.L.P. concentration fell but then returned to normal. The mechanism by which intravenous hyperalimentation rapidly lowers plasma-cholesterol in severe hypercholesterolaemia is unknown.