Serum low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and liver size in subjects on drugs inducing hepatic microsomal enzymes.
Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and the ratio between them, major risk factors of coronary heart disease, and liver size were investigated in 18 subjects who were on enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants, phenytoin alone or in combination with phenobarbital and/or carbamazepine. The subjects with a high liver cytochrome P-450, indicating hepatic microsomal enzyme induction, who showed an increase in liver size, had an elevated high-density lipoprotein concentration and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio, and a reduced low/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and its ratio to total cholesterol were directly and related to the ratio between low and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were inversely related to the extent of liver enlargement. The serum cholesterol distribution profile associated with an increase in liver size was typical of subjects with a low risk of coronary heart disease. The results suggest that enzyme-inducers, such as phenytoin and phenobarbital, induce structural and functional changes in hepatocellular membranes associated with liver enlargement and cholesterol distribution characteristic of low susceptibility to atherosclerotic vascular disease.
D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000494:pharmacology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000494:pharmacology; D012306:Risk
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D002220:Carbamazepine; D010672:Phenytoin; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D010634:Phenobarbital