抄録
Probucol causes a rapid and marked regression of cutaneous and tendon xanthomas in spite of the decrease in plasma HDL-cholesterol levels. To elucidate the mechanism of such effect of probucol, we studied the in vitro effect of probucol on the intracellular accumulation of cholesterol using cells of a macrophage-like cell line (EU-12) which had been established from a human histiocytic lymphoma cell line.
Both morphologically and chemically, formation of these cells into foam cells in the presence of acetyl-LDL was markedly prevented by the addition of probucol into the medium.
Degradation of [125-I]-acetyl-LDL by the cells was estimated before and after the cells were preincubated with probucol. Degradation activity was inhibited after the cells were preincubated with probucol, but it was not inhibited without preincubation, in spite of the presence of probucol in the medium.
We concluded that one of the mechanisms of regression of xanthomas by probucol was the decreased incorporation of denatured lipoprotein.
