Effects of probucol on low-density lipoprotein catabolism in guinea pigs.

We studied the effects of administering probucol on the catabolism of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in guinea pigs. Probucol administration significantly lowered the levels of total and LDL-cholesterol in animals given either normal chow or the high cholesterol (1% W/W) diet. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was decreased significantly in the animals fed cholesterol, but not normal chow diet. Triglyceride levels were unaffected in both groups. No significant changes were observed in the LDL receptor-dependent and LDL receptor-independent catabolism of native LDL and LDL obtained from a probucol-treated patient. However, when the LDL isolated from a probucol-treated patient was injected, the fractional catabolic rate was significantly lower than that of injected native LDL. This study indicates that probucol lowered the plasma LDL cholesterol level neither by an increased catabolism of LDL via an LDL receptor nor an LDL receptor-independent pathway.