Effect of atenolol on plasma HDL cholesterol subfractions.

The effect of atenolol on plasma HDL cholesterol subfractions and other plasma lipids in 18 patients with essential hypertension was studied. The atenolol was given orally, in a dose of 100 mg once daily for 6 months. The level of HDL cholesterol during atenolol treatment was significantly lower than before it. The concentration of HDL2 cholesterol decreased (P less than 0.01) during the first month of therapy and remained constant during treatment. The level of HDL3 cholesterol decreased slightly but not significantly. The concentrations of plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol increased slightly during atenolol treatment; statistical significance was reached (P less than 0.05) at 6 months.