Effect of clofibrate on the composition of very low and low density lipoprotein subfractions in type III hyperlipoproteinaemia

Abstract

The effect of clofibrate on the lipid and protein composition of very low and low density lipoprotein subfractions (VLDL of SF greater than 100, 60-100 and 20-60; LDL of Sf 10.4-20, 5.7-12 and 3.5-6.5), was investigated in 6 patients with type III hyperlipoproteinaemia (HLP). After four weeks of therapy significant reductions occurred in the concentration of cholesterol in each VLDL fraction, and of triglycerides in Sf greater than 100 and Sf 60-100 VLDL. No changes were found in the concentrations of apolipoprotein B or of the total tetramethylurea (TMU) soluble proteins, but in four patients in whom polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis of the TMU soluble proteins was carried out, it was found that arginine-rich peptide (ARP) had largely disappeared on therapy. These findings would be in keeping with increased catabolism of VLDL in response to clofibrate. No significant changes were observed in LDL lipid or protein concentrations.