Mechanism of iodide action on cholesterol metabolism.

Iodide retards or prevents hypercholesterolemia and the development of experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits. "Prote(ction" is estimated from reduction of plasma and/or hepatic cholesterol. Small doses of iodide do not "protect." Iodide in large doses prevents the hypercholesterolemia resulting from exogenous cholesterol and reduces hepatic cholesterol. This effect is independent of the thyroid gland and is not related to "thyroxin-like" plasma iodine. The influence of iodide on cholesterol metabolism seems to be related to the presence of a butanol-insoluble proteinbound iodine compound in the plasma.