Effects of probucol on lipoprotein protein kinetics.

The effects of probucol on the metabolism of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and of high density lipoprotein (HDL) were studied in five hyperlipidaemic subjects. Kinetics of LDL-B protein and HDL-AI protein were determined by two-pool analysis after reinjection of 131I labelled LDL and 125I labelled HDL at the end of placebo and treatment periods. Probucol increased the fractional removal rate of LDL in four, though plasma cholesterol levels fell significantly in only three. The synthesis of HDL-AI protein fell in all and was probably responsible for the uniform reduction in plasma apo-AI levels. Thus, probucol enhances LDL-B protein removal and bile acid excretion but inhibits AI protein formation.