Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hepatic cytochrome P-450 concentrations in epileptics undergoing anticonvulsant treatment.

Relation of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration to hepatic microsomal enzyme activity in eighteen epileptics with diagnostic liver biopsy was investigated, the cytochrome P-450 content in biopsy samples being used to reflect the liver enzyme activity. A significant correlation (r = 0.67, P less than 0.01) was found. Combination therapy with anticonvulsants was associated with higher plasma HDL cholesterol and hepatic cytochrome P-450 concentrations than the treatment with phenytoin alone. Serum triglyceride level was inversely related to the hepatic cytochrome P-450 content (r = 0.62, P less than 0.01). Plasma HDL cholesterol and hepatic cytochrome P-450 were related to liver histology. Patients with hepatic fatty infiltration had low HDL cholesterol and cytochrome P-450 concentrations.