The effect of cholestyramine on apolipoproteins in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

The changes in apolipoproteins on cholestyramine therapy associated with cholesterol feeding were compared to those observed in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Only one molecular species of apo B, identified as apo B-100, was present whatever the dietary or pharmacological treatment indicating the hepatic origin of apo B-containing lipoproteins in these conditions. Cholestyramine has a clear preventive effect on the rise of apo B and apo E which appear following cholesterol feeding. These changes are highly correlated with those of the plasma cholesterol level. In addition, cholestyramine induced a 50% increase in apo AI compared with normal rabbits. These data strongly confirm the beneficial effects of cholestyramine in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.