Effect of pantethine on lipoprotein profiles and HDL subfractions in experimentally hypercholesterolemic rabbits

A high-cholesterol diet caused in rabbits a great increase in beta-migrating VLDL and a significant decrease in HDL 2 (43% of normal) and HDL 3 masses (64% of normal), without significant changes in HDL cholesterol values. Chemical analysis of the HDL subfractions indicated an abnormal lipid-protein composition in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits, an increase in cholesterol and a decrease in the contents of triglycerides and phospholipid. When these rabbits were treated for about 1 month with pantethine, and intermediate precursor of coenzyme A, the increase in cholesterol levels was effectively prevented in the beta-VLDL (11%) and LDL fractions (43%) but, conversely, HDL-cholesterol was significantly increased (151%). In a separate experiment, HDL 2 and HDL 3 masses were calculated to be increased to 186% and 193%, respectively, by pantethine treatment, when compared with those in control cholesterol-fed rabbits. Serum apolipoprotein AI antigen levels were also significantly increased by the treatment.