Ultracentrifugal study of metabolic effects of probucol: plasma lipoproteins in patients with proven coronary artery disease.

The primary metabolic effect of probucol is characterized by significant lowering of plasma low-density lipoproteins (LDL2) (p less than 0.01), frequently connected with a decrease in concentration of very-low density lipoproteins (VLDL) (p less than 0.05). This main effect is correlated (r = 0.84-0.75) with a decrease of chylomicrons (CHY) and macromolecular very, very-low density lipoproteins (VVLDL). High density lipoproteins (HDL2,3) tended to decrease in the majority of cases, although a restoration of their levels was observed after the therapy. The strong significance of probucol's lowering action of LDL2 does not statistically relate to any other metabolic phenomenon, confirming its relative independence on remaining pathways.