The distribution of apolipoproteins C-III (apo C-III) among lipoproteins may be causatively associated with cardiovascular artery disease (CAD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in plasma concentration of lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in CAD patients, qualified for coronary by-pass surgery, before and after short-time administration of probucol. 19 patients (mean 53±12 years) with angiographically confirmed cardiovascular artery disease were treated with probucol (2x500 mg/day) for 3 weeks. Patients were evaluated before and after the drug administration. Levels of total apolipoproteins C-III (apo C-III) and apo C-III in plasma devoided of apo B-containig particles (apo C-III-nonLp-B) by immunoprecipitation using specific anti-apo B antiserum, were measured by electroimmunoassay. Apo C-III concentrations in apo B-containing lipoproteins (apo-C-III-LpB) were calculated by difference between total and apo C-III-nonLpB. Almost all lipid parameters significantly decreased after probucol therapy: total cholesterol from 254.8±40.1 to 213.3±44.5 mg/dl, LDL-cholesterol from 181.5±37.0 to 141±38.9 mg/dl, HDL from 40.0±5.3 to 33.6±5.5 mg/dl, triglycerides from 153.3±35.5 to 128.0±48.1mg/dl. Total apoC-III decreased from 27.3±7.2 to 23.2±8.5 mg/l, apo C-III-nonLpB from 18.8±6.8 to 13.2±5.1 mg/l, the apo C-III ratio (apo C-III-nonLp- B/apo C-III-Lp-B) changed from 2.55±1.56 to 1.47±0.63. The relationship between apo C-III, apo C-III-non- Lp-B, apo C-III-Lp-B and triglycerides remarkably changed after probucol therapy: r=0.41 (NS) vs. r=0.80 (p<0.001); r=0.42 (NS) vs. r=0.78 (p<0.001) and r=0.04 (NS) vs. r=0.55 (p<0.05), respectively. The different relationship was observed also between apo C-III-Lp-B and HDL3-cholesterol (r = -0.45, p<0.05 vs. r =-0.07, NS) Our results confirmed that probucol influences on lipid metabolism and apo C-III is involved in this process. Probucol decreased apo C-III mainly in lipoproteins without apo B, it was possible that probucol rearranged the action of apo-C-IIILpB.

Keywords: CAD, Probucol, Apolipoprotein C-III