title: Effects of plasma exchange on serum cholesterol levels in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: This study describes the cholesterol-lowering effect of plasma exchange (PE) in seven patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. All patients followed an identical protocol consisting of one PE per three weeks during 27 weeks. A cholesterol-lowering diet was prescribed in addition. No supporting cholesterol-lowering medication was given. PE leads to a momentary marked decrease in serum concentrations of both total cholesterol (Tot-c) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c). HDL-c concentration returns more rapidly to the plateau value than Tot-c concentration resulting in a transient favourable Tot-c/HDL-c ratio that disappears after 10-14 days. No reducing or increasing effect of PE on HDL-c concentration was observed after 27 weeks of treatment. Nor was any convincing reducing effect on Tot-c concentration observed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000628:therapy*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D002784:Cholesterol