Protective effects of probucol in two animal models of atherosclerosis

Abstract

Lipid oxidation is widely accepted to be critical in the initiation of atherosclerosis,¹ the major cause of death in industrialized countries. The use of antioxidants to improve health in non-deficient individuals, however, remains contentious as randomized trials of antioxidant supplementation in patients with established coronary disease have shown conflicting results.^2–4 The potential role for antioxidants in earlier stages of atherosclerosis remains untested. Probucol, a cholesterol-lowering antioxidant, has generated much interest as it decreases restenosis after coronary angioplasty.⁵ Studies using probucol in animal models of atherosclerosis have, however, shown conflicting results, including inhibitory,⁶ neutral⁷ or promoting⁸ effects. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of probucol in vivo remain unclear.