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PubMed2001

Antioxidative properties of probucol estimated by the reactivity with superoxide and by electrochemical oxidation.

The reaction of probucol with superoxide (O2(*-)) was investigated in acetonitrile using both electron spin resonance (ESR) and electrochemical techniques. The formation of phenoxyl radical was observed during the reaction of probucol with O2(*-) by ESR spectroscopy. The reaction of probucol with O2(*-) in acetonitrile was followed by cyclic voltammetry. With the addition of probucol, the oxidation peak current of O2(*-) decreased concentration dependently. This suggests that probucol reacts with O2(*-), that is, probucol scavenges O2(*-) in acetonitrile. 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone was identified as the major product of the reaction of probucol with O2(*-) in acetonitrile. Electrochemical oxidation of probucol was also performed. Probucol gives an irreversible oxidation peak at ca. +1.4 V vs. the saturated calomel electrode in the cyclic voltammogram. Controlled-potential electrolysis was carried out at +1.2 V in a divided cell. 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-p-benzoquinone, 4,4'-dithiobis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), and 4,4'-trithiobis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol) were identified as the products of anodic oxidation. These redox properties of probucol may correlate with the physiological activities.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2006

Probucol and atorvastatin decrease urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in patients with diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.

To clarify whether probucol and statins suppress oxidative stress in diabetic patients, we studied the effects of probucol and the statin atorvastatin on urinary 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in diabetics with hypercholesterolemia. A randomized, open study was performed on a total of 36 patients with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. The patients were randomly assigned to a probucol group (500 mg/day, n = 18) or an atorvastatin group (10 mg/day, n = 18). During three months, total- and LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly in both groups. LDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in the atorvastatin group than probucol group. HDL-C decreased significantly in the probucol group and did not change in the atorvastatin group. 8-OHdG decreased significantly in both groups after 3 months; 12.4 +/- 7.5 to 8.1 +/- 4.2 ng/mg/Cr in the atorvastatin group (p < 0.05) and 12.3 +/- 8.8 to 6.8 +/- 2.6 ng/mg/Cr in the probucol group (p < 0.05), and these changes did not differ significantly between the two groups. But, in patients with high 8-OHdG levels (more than 10 ng/mg/Cr) before administration, urinary 8-OHdG decreased significantly from 19.5 +/- 4.9 to 9.2 +/- 3.4 ng/mg Cr (p < 0.01) in the atorvastatin group, and from 19.7 +/- 8.2 to 6.67 +/- 2.2 ng/mg Cr (p < 0.01) in the probucol group. Urinary 8-OHdG was significantly lower in the probucol group than in the atorvastatin group after the second and third months of administration (p < 0.05). These results suggest that while probucol and atorvastatin both reduce systemic oxidative stress, probucol might be the more useful in patients with strong oxidative stress.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed2001

Impact of residual plaque burden after balloon angioplasty in the MultiVitamins and Probucol (MVP) trial.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown in the MultiVitamins and Probucol (MVP) trial that probucol reduces angiographic lumen loss by 68% after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Restenosis occurred in 40% of patients not treated with probucol and in 20% of those in the probucol alone group. OBJECTIVE: To determine the morphological predictors of restenosis in patients treated with probucol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Beginning 30 days before angioplasty, 317 patients were randomly assigned to receive probucol, multivitamins, the combined treatment or placebo. Patients were then treated for six months after angioplasty. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination was performed immediately after angioplasty and at follow-up in 94 patients (108 segments). The angioplasty operator was blinded to the IVUS results. The cross-section selected for serial analysis was the one at the angioplasty site with the smallest lumen area at follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine the performance of criteria to predict angiographic restenosis at follow-up. RESULTS: In probucol-treated patients, the cross-sectional area (CSA) narrowing of 67.6% or less was the best IVUS predictor for the absence of restenosis (P=0.03). Diameter stenosis of 35% or less almost reached significance as a predictor in these patients (P=0.056). The restenosis rate when either of these predictors was met was less than 13%. Rates of repeat PTCA in patients treated with probucol were 9.7% when CSA narrowing was 67.6% or less on IVUS and 3.1% with a post-PTCA stenosis of 35% or less on quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). No predictor of the absence of restenosis in patients not treated with probucol was identified. CONCLUSIONS: The presence after balloon angioplasty of a CSA narrowing of 67.6% or less on IVUS or a diameter stenosis of 35% or less on QCA is associated, in patients treated with probucol, with extremely low rates of coronary restenosis and repeat angioplasty.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1986

Probucol and cholestyramine combination in the treatment of severe hypercholesterolemia.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the combined probucol and cholestyramine treatment on the lipoprotein pattern of hypercholesterolemic patients. Probucol was given in the dose of 1 g and cholestyramine in the dose of 16 g per day in 3 different sequences: Probucol, Cholestyramine, Probucol + Cholestyramine; Probucol + Cholestyramine, Probucol, Cholestyramine; Cholestyramine, Probucol + Cholestyramine, Probucol. After a period of dietary stabilization, 12 patients were randomly allocated to one of the treatment sequences to be followed for 9 months. Each treatment period lasted 3 months. During the cholestyramine period serum cholesterol decreased on the average by 18% and LDL cholesterol by 26%; during probucol, the mean decrease was 13% and 14%, and during the combined therapy 26% and 32%, respectively. Serum triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol showed a trend toward an increase during the cholestyramine period. HDL2 cholesterol significantly decreased during probucol treatment. Variation in both VLDL and HDL2 cholesterol observed when the drugs were given singly were no longer seen during the combination therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Decrease of plasma large, light LDL (LDL1), HDL2 and HDL3 levels with concomitant increase of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity by probucol in type II hyperlipoproteinemia.

The effects of 12 week probucol treatment on plasma lipoprotein subfraction levels and on lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activities in type II hyperlipoproteinemia were investigated. Plasma VLDL-TG, VLDL-apoB, VLDL-apoCII and VLDL-apoCIII concentrations were not changed by probucol, but VLDL-TC and VLDL-PL levels were slightly reduced. Probucol slightly reduced plasma IDL-TC, but not IDL-TG, IDL-PL and IDL-apoB levels. Plasma large, light LDL (LDL1)-TC, LDL1-PL, LDL1-apoB levels were decreased significantly by 28.5 +/- 20.1% (p < 0.001), 18.1 +/- 18.8% (p < 0.01) and 23.3 +/- 19.1% (p < 0.001) by probucol treatment while LDL1-TG concentration was unchanged. Absolute amounts of plasma small, heavy LDL(LDL2)-TC, LDL2-TG, LDL2-PL and LDL2-apoB levels remained unchanged but percent increases of LDL2-TC and LDL2-apoB were statistically significant (p < 0.05). 2-16% gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated the diminution of LDL of large size by probucol treatment. Probucol markedly reduced plasma high density lipoprotein levels. The reductions of HDL2-TC, HDL2-TG, HDL2-PL and HDL2-apoAI concentrations were 36.2 +/- 25.4% (p < 0.001), 25.8 +/- 36.9% (p < 0.01), 34.4 +/- 23.8% (p < 0.001) and 35.6 +/- 28.4% (p < 0.001). Probucol significantly decreased plasma HDL3-TC, HDL3-PL and HDL3-apoAI amounts by 17.4 +/- 22.9% (p < 0.01), 18.3 +/- 20.8% (p < 0.01) and 19.8 +/- 27.9% (p < 0.01) without change of HDL3-TG level. The decrease of HDL2 level was more marked than that of HDL3 level. Probucol did not change LCAT activities. Probucol significantly stimulated CETP activities from 126.6 +/- 50.6 units to 172.8 +/- 40.2 units by 12 week treatment (p < 0.001). We concluded that probucol decreased plasma LDL1, HDL2 and HDL3 amounts and made them triglyceride-rich with the concomitant increase of CETP activities.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed2000

Site-specific antiatherogenic effect of probucol in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

-The lipid-lowering antioxidant probucol can inhibit atherosclerosis in animals and restenosis in humans. However, probucol has been shown to promote atherosclerosis in the aortic root of apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE-/-) mice. In the current study, we examined the effects of probucol on both lesion formation at 4 sites along the aorta and lipoprotein oxidation in the plasma and aortas of apoE-/- mice receiving a diet containing 21.2% (wt/wt) fat and 0. 15% (wt/wt) cholesterol without or with 1% (wt/wt) probucol. After 6 months, controls had developed lesions at all sites investigated. Lesion development was strongly (P=0.0001) affected by probucol, but this effect was not uniform: lesion size was increased in the aortic root but significantly decreased in the arch, the descending thoracic aorta, and proximal abdominal aorta. Plasma and aortas of probucol-treated mice contained high concentrations of probucol and its metabolites (bisphenol and diphenoquinone); increased vitamin C; markedly decreased very low density lipoprotein (but not low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein); and decreased cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, triglycerides, vitamin E, and oxidized lipids compared with controls. Interestingly, probucol treatment did not decrease the proportion of aortic lipids that were oxidized. Plasma vitamin C and bisphenol, but not probucol, protected plasma lipids from ex vivo oxidation by peroxyl radicals. These results show that as in other species, probucol can inhibit lesion formation in most parts of the aorta of apoE-/- mice. This effect may involve lipid oxidation-independent mechanisms localized within the vessel wall as well as lipid lowering.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Generation of probucol radicals and their reduction by ascorbate and dihydrolipoic acid in human low density lipoproteins.

Probucol, 4,4'-[(1-methylethylidene)bis(thio)]bis-[2,6-bis(1,1- dimethyl)phenol], is a lipid regulating drug whose therapeutic potential depends on its antioxidant properties. Probucol and alpha-tocopherol were quantitatively compared in their ability to scavenge peroxyl radicals generated by the thermal decomposition of the lipid-soluble azo-initiator 2,2'-azo-bis(2,4-dimethyl-valeronitrile), AMVN, in dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) liposomes. Probucol showed 15-times lower peroxyl radical scavenging efficiency than alpha-tocopherol as measured by the effects on AMVN-induced luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. We suggest that probucol cannot protect alpha-tocopherol against its loss in the course of oxidation, although probucol is known to prevent lipid peroxidation in membranes and lipoproteins. In human low density lipoproteins (LDL) ESR signals of the probucol phenoxyl radical were detected upon incubation with lipoxygenase + linolenic acid or AMVN. Ascorbate was shown to reduce probucol radicals. Dihydrolipoic acid alone was not able to reduce the probucol radical but in the presence of both ascorbate and dihydrolipoic acid a synergistic effect of a stepwise reduction was observed. This resulted from ascorbate-dependent reduction of probucol radicals and dihydrolipoic acid-dependent reduction of ascorbyl radicals. The oxidized form of dihydrolipoic acid, thioctic acid, did not affect probucol radicals either in the presence or in the absence of ascorbate.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1995

Probucol inhibits not only the progression of atherosclerotic disease, but causes a different composition of atherosclerotic lesions in WHHL-rabbits.

Watanabe heritable hyperlipidaemic (WHHL)-rabbits develop premature atherosclerosis due to an inborn defect of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor causing severe hypercholesterolaemia. Probucol, which possesses a lipid lowering and an antioxidative potency, has been shown to reduce the extent of atherosclerotic disease in this animal. The object of the present study was the detailed analysis of the cellular and non-cellular composition of atherosclerotic lesions in WHHL-rabbits treated with probucol when compared with untreated controls. In two independent sets of experiments, each consisting of one litter, a total number of 5 animals was fed a diet containing 1% (w/w) probucol. Four animals served as controls and 2 animals were sacrificed before treatment (at 2 and 4 months of age, respectively) to define the baseline level of the atherosclerotic disease. Morphometric analysis was employed in order to determine plaque area macroscopically by planimetry and plaque thickness and composition histologically, in 30 cross-sections of the aorta of each animal. In the group treated with probucol, a diminution of plaque area and thickness, as well as a decrease of foam cell and--especially in one experiment--necrotic content of atherosclerotic lesions, was observed. Plaques from aortas of animals treated with probucol consisted predominantly of smooth muscle cells and compact intercellular fibrous structures. Furthermore, as an additional characteristic feature of the "typical" probucol plaque, they usually lacked confluent necrotic cores. In comparison with untreated animals, there was also a decrease in intracellular apolipoprotein B (apo B) as determined by immunohistochemistry. These data confirm the antiatherosclerotic potency of probucol in the WHHL-rabbit. Moreover, it was demonstrated that there is a different type of atherosclerosis present in the group treated with probucol. The mechanism behind these shifts may be based on the antioxidative property as well as on direct effects of probucol on cellular plaque components.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Antioxidant activity of probucol and its effects on phase transitions in phosphatidylcholine liposomes.

The effect of probucol on the phase behavior of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) was examined by fluorescence polarization and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Probucol broadens and shifts the temperature of the main phase transition of DMPC liposomes as measured by fluorescence polarization with diphenylhexatriene and trimethyl-ammonium-diphenylhexatrine at concentrations as low as 5 mole%. As measured by DSC, probucol reduces the transition temperature of the gel----liquid-crystalline phase transition of DMPC by approx. 2 C degrees at all concentrations above about 5 mole% probucol and eliminates the pretransition at less than 1 mole%. In addition, the phase transition of DMPC is broadened and the enthalpy of the transition reduced by approx. 50%. Even at high concentrations of probucol, the gel----liquid-crystalline phase transition of DMPC is not eliminated. Similar effects are observed with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes. Based on these DSC measurements, measurements of the melting of probucol in dry mixtures with DMPC and observations of probucol mixtures with DMPC under polarizing optics, the maximum solubility of probucol in DMPC is approx. 10 mole%. This concentration exceeds that required (approx. 0.5 mole%) to prevent peroxidation of 10 mole% arachidonic acid in DMPC liposomes for 30 min in the presence of 0.05 mM Fe(NH4)(SO4)2 at 4 degrees C. Thus, probucol has a limited solubility in saturated phosphatidylcholine bilayers, but is an effective antioxidant at concentrations lower than its maximum solubility.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1995

The effects of probucol and clofibrate alone and in combination on hepatic cholesterol metabolism in the male rat.

Male rats were fed for 10 days on a diet supplemented with either probucol or clofibrate, alone or in combination, and the effects of the drugs on hepatic cholesterol metabolism studied. Plasma triacylglycerols were significantly lowered (15.6%, P < 0.05) by the drugs in combination but not individually whereas plasma cholesterol levels were reduced by probucol alone (22.4%, P < 0.05) and the combined treatment effected a further decrease leading to a total reduction of 50.6% (P < 0.001). Probucol reduced hepatic cellular triacylglycerols (20.0%, P < 0.05) and cholesterol (15.3%, P < 0.05) but cholesteryl esters were unaffected. In combination with clofibrate, probucol accentuated the reductions in both cellular cholesterol and cholesteryl esters produced by clofibrate alone and lowered their levels by 22.8%, P < 0.01 and 38.5%, P < 0.001, respectively. Although probucol, on its own, did not affect the activity of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), its combination with clofibrate caused less inhibition (43.5%, P < 0.01) of this enzyme activity than clofibrate alone (65.7%, P < 0.001). Probucol had a similarly moderating effect on the clofibrate-induced reductions in microsomal cholesterol and cholesteryl esters. Neither the microsomal nor the cytosolic neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase was affected by probucol alone although both enzymes were dramatically increased (between 350% and 550%) by clofibrate and the combined treatment. The activity of the hepatic cytosolic inhibitor of cholesteryl ester hydrolase was unaffected by clofibrate or probucol individually but the two drugs in combination increased the total activity of the inhibitor by 52.1%, P < 0.01. When allowance was made for this increased inhibitor activity, it was clear that probucol accentuated the stimulatory effect of clofibrate on the cytosolic nCEH.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Effect of probucol on triglyceride turnover in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

The long-term effect of probucol on triglyceride turnover was examined in streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) diabetic rats. Two diabetic groups were prepared: one group received a probucol-containing (1%) diet (probucol-treated diabetic) and the other standard diet (diabetic control). After 4 months of probucol diet, triglyceride turnover was estimated using Triton WR1339. In diabetic control rats, glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in plasma and in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction were markedly elevated and plasma insulin was suppressed compared to non-diabetic control rats. There was no significant difference in body weight, plasma glucose and insulin between the 2 diabetic groups. However, the probucol-treated diabetic group showed significantly suppressed levels of triglyceride and cholesterol in total plasma and in the VLDL fraction compared to each corresponding diabetic control value. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in triglyceride secretion rate between the 2 diabetic groups. Newly secreted VLDL particles after Triton injection from diabetic control rats were significantly cholesterol-enriched and triglyceride-depleted compared to those from non-diabetic control rats. However, the composition of those from probucol-treated diabetic rats was similar to that of non-diabetic control group. Prominent hypertriglyceridemia without increase in triglyceride secretion rate in diabetic control group indicates triglyceride removal defect in diabetic rats. Significant suppression of plasma triglyceride level without changes in the triglyceride secretion rate in the probucol-treated diabetic group suggests that probucol stimulated triglyceride removal in diabetic rats. Thus, probucol might normalize VLDL composition, thereby contributing to accelerated triglyceride removal from the circulation of streptozotocin diabetic rats without affecting glucose metabolism.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effects of probucol on phase transition and fluidity of phosphatidylcholine membranes: a spin label study.

Spin labeling methods were applied to study the structure and dynamics of phosphatidylcholine membranes as a function of temperature and the mole fraction of probucol. Multilamellar liposomes made of dimyristoylphosphatidyclcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine both saturated, and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine, an unsaturated membrane, were used. In fluid phase membranes probucol was found to increase the order and decrease the motional freedom of alkyl chains of lipids as shown with stearic acid spin labels. The effect of probucol on order and motional freedom is more pronounced in the membrane center (16-doxylstearic acid spin label position) than in the near polar headgroup region (5-doxylstearic acid spin label position). The presence of unsaturation in alkyl chains significantly decreased the ordering effect of probucol. The main phase transition temperature of saturated bilayers was lowered by 2 degrees C in the presence of 3 mol% of probucol and significantly broadened at higher concentrations as measured with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) partitioning. Also, pretransition was no longer observed in the presence of probucol. In gel phase membranes, the effect of probucol was complex. Close to the main phase transition the motion of alkyl chains was increased, showing a regulatory effect of probucol on membrane fluidity. It is proposed that probucol is located in the membrane center as opposed to vitamin E, which locates its phenolic -OH group at the membrane surface; therefore, it inhibits lipid peroxidation in this region which is less accessible to vitamin E.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗
PubMed2000

Effects of probucol on changes of antioxidant enzymes in adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical usefulness of doxorubicin (adriamycin, ADR) is restricted by the risk of developing congestive heart failure. Probucol has been reported to completely prevent ADR cardiomyopathy without interfering with its antitumor effects. The current study investigated the effects of ADR and probucol on antioxidant enzyme gene expression during adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy in a rat model. METHODS: The mRNA abundance by Northern and immunoreactive protein levels by Western blotting of myocardial antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase (CAT) were examined in relation to the enzyme activities in hemodynamically assessed control and treated animals. RESULTS: At 3 weeks post-treatment duration, ADR caused heart failure which was prevented by probucol. MnSOD mRNA abundance as well as protein levels were depressed by ADR treatment by 45% and 20%, respectively, and this change was prevented by probucol. However, the mRNA and protein levels of GSHPx and CAT were not significantly changed by ADR or probucol. ADR had no effect on SOD activity but this enzyme activity was increased by probucol and probucol plus ADR. GSHPx enzyme activity was decreased and oxidative stress as indicated by TBARS was increased by ADR and these changes were also modulated by probucol. CONCLUSION: An increase in oxidative stress, GSHPx inactivation and MnSOD downregulation during ADR cardiomyopathy were prevented by probucol treatment.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Effect of the antioxidant probucol on transplant arteriosclerosis in aorta-allografted rabbits.

The attenuation of atherogenesis by oral probucol treatment, demonstrated in several animal studies, has been attributed to the antioxidative property of probucol. It is thought that probucol, by inhibiting oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) decreases the uptake of LDL into monocytes, and thereby reduces the development of foam cells and fatty streaks. Also, the neointimal proliferation seen after balloon injury has been attenuated by treatment with probucol. Since foam cells and neointimal proliferation are both important elements of transplant arteriosclerosis, we have investigated whether probucol might also retard the development of experimental transplant arteriosclerosis. The thoracic aorta from one rabbit was transplanted as a bypass graft onto the abdominal aorta of another rabbit. Nine rabbits were treated with 1 g probucol per day and seven animals were treated with vehicle. After a recovery period of 2 weeks, all rabbits were clamped at a human level of plasma cholesterol (6 to 7 mmol/l) for a period of 3 weeks. The amount of dietary cholesterol necessary for this clamping tended to be higher in probucol treated than in vehicle-treated rabbits. The distribution of plasma cholesterol between lipoprotein classes was similar in the two groups, except for the concentration of high density lipoproteins (HDL), which was significantly lowered by probucol. Probucol markedly decreased the susceptibility of LDL and intermediate density lipoprotein plus very low density lipoprotein (IDL + VLDL) particles to oxidation, as measured by the production of conjugated dienes when adding Cu2+. Despite this, the development of transplant arteriosclerosis as well as the number of macrophages in the neointima were not significantly different in the aortic allografts from the two groups. These results suggest that antioxidative agents do not retard the development of experimental transplant arteriosclerosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of probucol on renal function in rats with bilateral ureteral obstruction.

To ascertain the potential role of reactive oxygen metabolites in the pathophysiology of obstructive uropathy, we examined the effect of probucol, an antioxidant agent, on renal function in normal rats and rats with unilateral release of bilateral ureteral obstruction (BUO) of 24 hours duration. Rats were fed either a standard diet or a standard diet containing one percent probucol for two weeks prior to study. Probucol lowered serum cholesterol in both normal and BUO rats. Probucol did not significantly affect renal function in normal rats. BUO rats given probucol had greater inulin and PAH clearances at three to five hours and three days following release of BUO than rats with BUO not given probucol. Kidneys from obstructed rats had higher levels of malondialdehyde, an index of lipid peroxidation, a greater number of leukocytes in the cortex, decreased levels of reduced glutathione and increased levels of oxidized glutathione. Renal cortex from obstructed rats treated with probucol had significantly higher levels of reduced glutathione than kidneys of obstructed rats not given probucol. A decrease in cholesterol, using another lipid-lowering agent, lovastatin, did not modify renal function in rats with BUO. The data can be interpreted to indicate a role for reactive oxygen species in the pathophysiology of obstructive nephropathy. The improved renal function seen in probucol-treated rats with BUO may be due to an effect of this agent in affecting accumulation of reactive oxygen metabolites and/or decreasing the number of leukocytes infiltrating the renal cortex.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effects of probucol on impaired cardiac performance and lipid metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Plasma lipids and cardiac performance were studied in diabetic rats treated with probucol. Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 75 mg/kg). Nondiabetic control rats received the vehicle alone. Two weeks after STZ or vehicle injection, control and diabetic rats were randomly assigned to probucol-treated or untreated groups. The rats in the two probucol-treated groups (control- and diabetic-probucol groups) were fed a diet containing 1% probucol (w/w) for 4 weeks. Blood was drawn, and then cardiac performance was assessed by the isolated perfused working heart technique. Probucol treatment had no effect on the cardiac performance of the nondiabetic control rats. The peak left ventricular developed pressure and maximum rate of change in left ventricular pressure during systole were significantly greater in the probucol-treated diabetic rats than in the untreated diabetic rats (p less than 0.05), although cardiac performance did not improve to the level in the nondiabetic rats. Plasma cholesterol, free fatty acid, and phospholipid were significantly elevated in the untreated diabetic rats, and probucol treatment decreased significantly the plasma cholesterol and free fatty acid concentrations (p less than 0.05). These data suggest that probucol treatment improves plasma lipids and cardiac performance in rats with experimental diabetes and may prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Probucol attenuates the development of aortic atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

1. Probucol was administered to rabbits fed a cholesterol-enriched (2% wt/wt) diet to determine potential anti-atherogenic effects in a preparation in which the disease process is due to elevated plasma concentrations of cholesterol ester-rich very low density lipoproteins (CER-VLDL). 2. Probucol was supplemented to the diet at 1% wt/wt which resulted in plasma concentrations rising steadily to 53 +/- 8 micrograms ml-1 after 14 days, with no significant changes during continued administration. Dietary consumption and body weight gains were comparable in the drug-treated and control groups during the observation period. 3. Probucol treatment did not significantly affect plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, unesterified cholesterol, triglycerides or phospholipids. 4. The concentration of CER-VLDL in plasma and its physicochemical characteristics were not significantly changed during administration of probucol. CER-VLDL from both control and probucol-treated animals was a potent stimulant of the augmentation of the intracellular incorporation of [3H]-oleate into cholesteryl-[3H]-oleate in cultured macrophages. 5. Despite the lack of effect of probucol on concentrations of plasma lipids and the cell interaction characteristics of CER-VLDL, administration of the drug markedly decreased the extent of intimal aortic surface area covered by grossly discernible atherosclerotic lesions from 55.6 +/- 11.8% to 11.6 +/- 1.9% in thoracic sections, and from 49.1 +/- 10.2% to 7.2 +/- 0.4% in abdominal sections. Furthermore, probucol treatment significantly reduced the deposition of total cholesterol in vascular tissue. 6. Probucol reduced the extent of aortic atherosclerosis produced by diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rabbits. This reduction occurred in the absence of any significant change in the characteristics of plasma lipoproteins that were determined. These results indicate that either there is a role of oxidation in the disease process of this animal model of atherosclerosis or that probucol is acting via a presently undefined mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Location of probucol in lipoproteins inferred from compositional analysis of lipoprotein particles. An in-vitro study.

The location of labelled probucol in lipoprotein particles was investigated in-vitro. Human serum was incubated for 4 h at 37 degrees C with [14C]probucol to incorporate probucol into lipoproteins. Serum lipoprotein particles were then isolated according to their apolipoprotein markers by sequential immunoaffinity chromatography at 4 degrees C, and probucol concentration was determined in each lipoprotein fraction. Analysis of probucol distribution vs lipoprotein components revealed that probucol in particles strongly correlated with phospholipid concentration. Analysis of probucol distribution vs lipoprotein physical characteristics showed that probucol strongly correlated with the surface area of the monolayer surrounding the lipidic core of particles constituting phospholipids and free cholesterol. These data support the hypothesis that probucol is preferentially located in the phospholipid/free cholesterol monolayer surrounding the lipid core, in the vicinity of cholesteryl ester at the core surface or in the vicinity of hydrophobic areas of apolipoprotein that faces the monolayer.

Humans↗