Changes in paraoxonase and apolipoprotein A-I, B, C-III and E in subjects with combined familiar hyperlipoproteinemia treated with ciprofibrate.
The aim of our study was to determine whether, in patients with familiar combined hyperlipoproteinemia (FCH), ciprofibrate produces changes in paraoxonase, which acts as an antioxidant. A further aim was to estimate changes in serum levels of apolipoproteins, especially in apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and apoC-III. One of the mechanisms of action of fibrates is the activation apo A-I biosynthesis and the inhibition of apoC-III production. It is performed in the liver through peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha activity. We found that ciprofibrate administration enhanced production of apoA-I and paraoxonase transport capacity. Decreases in paraoxonase during ciprofibrate treatment were not statistically significant but increases in serum levels of apoA-I were statistically significant. Levels of apoC-III were decreased, which suggests that ciprofibrate belongs in the group of fibrates that influences lipoprotein metabolism through PPAR-alpha activity.