Lipid metabolism: implications of alpha 1-blockade.

Four points summarize the apparent major effects of selective alpha 1-inhibitors on lipid metabolism: stimulation of lipoprotein lipase; reduced VLDL synthesis and secretion; increase in the number of LDL receptors; and perhaps also a decrease in LDL cholesterol synthesis. Similar to the experimental data, the issues concern the type of patient, the clinical condition, normality, high cholesterol values or high triglyceride values, a combination of both, hypertension, and the degree of sympathetic activity.