Platelet function in familial hypercholesterolaemia in South Africa and the effects of probucol

Patients with Familial Hyperlipoproteinaemia Type II showed evidence of increased platelet aggregability when compared to normal controls. This abnormality was not influenced by oral therapy with probucol whether or not the serum cholesterol levels were lowered during the study period. Probucol assays indicated adequate compliance during the study period but did not demonstrate any uptake of the drug by platelets. In vitro studies also failed to demonstrate any inhibition of platelet function at therapeutic drug levels although higher levels were inhibitory.