INFLUENCE OF NICOTINIC ACID ON INDIVIDUAL PLASMA PHOSPHOLIPIDS IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC SUBJECTS

Abstract. In ten patients with hypercholesterolemia plasma lipids, including individual phospholipids, were analyzed before and 2 to 18 months after high-dose nicotinic acid therapy. Free fatty acids were increased, while cholesterol, triglycerides and total phospholipids decreased. Among the individual phospholipids there was a significant decrease of lysolecithin in absolute as well as relative amounts. The other phospholipid fractions did not change significantly. The possible mechanisms of nicotinic acid effects on plasma lipids are discussed.