Effect of trifluoperazine on certain arterial wall lipid-metabolizing enzymes inducing atherosclerosis in rhesus monkeys.

The effect of trifluoperazine (TFP) was investigated on arterial wall lipid-metabolizing enzymes like acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) and cholesterol ester hydrolase (CEH) in rhesus monkeys. The activity was determined in aortic wall homogenates obtained from rhesus monkeys fed an atherogenic diet coupled with intramuscular injections of adrenaline and TFP. Although TFP had no significant effect on serum cholesterol and triglycerides, it decreased significantly the formation of atherosclerotic lesions by decreasing the esterification of cholesterol, by inhibiting ACAT and enhancing its utilization by activating CEH. Hence, the preventive effect of TFP on the development of atherosclerosis in rhesus monkeys is mediated through its ability to influence the activities of arterial wall lipid-metabolizing enzymes like ACAT and CEH.