Association between plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol and antipyrine metabolism in alcoholics

Seven patients entering an alcoholic detoxification and treatment unit exhibited elevated levels of plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and enhanced metabolic disposal of antipyrine. Following a 2-week abstinence treatment, the HDLC levels were reduced by 28% (from 64 to 47 mg/100 ml) and the t 1/2 of antipyrine was extended from 12.4 to 13.7 hours. The extent of the HDLC reduction correlated with the antipyrine t 1/2 changes (r = -0.753, P = 0.05).