Effects of Nicotinic Acid Therapy on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins Plasma Plasma VLDL LDL HDL

A portion of this work has appeared in abstract form (1). Received for publication 17 August 1978 and in revised form 27 December 1978. 858 became 49 and 51% in HDL2 and HDL3, respectively. ApoA-II was found mainly in HDL3, both before and during nicotinic acid treatment. Administration of the drug caused a 14% reduction in its plasma concentration (P < 0.05), which derived principally from a fall (22%, P < 0.01) in its synthetic rate. These data suggest that the effects of nicotinic acid on the HDL subfraction distribution may be mediated via (a) net transfer of ApoA-I from HDL3 to HDL2 and (b) a reduction in ApoA-II synthesis. Our present understanding of the association between HDL and atherosclerosis indicates that such changes may have prophylactic value in the prevention of coronary artery disease.