Review article
Probucol as an antioxidant and antiatherogenic drug

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Abstract

Recently, interest has increased in the hypothesis that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) modified by oxidation may lead to the initiation and to the development of atherosclerosis. In vitro studies of cellular interactions with LDL have revealed that various cells, including endothelial cells and smooth muscles cells, can oxidize LDL. The biochemical changes in LDL may further enhance its atherogenic potential. In addition to these in vitro studies, there is in vivo evidence for oxidized LDL in atherosclerotic lesions and for circulating antibodies againts oxidized LDL. Probucol, 4,4′-(isopropylidenedithio)bis (2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), is a widely used cholesterol-lowering drug. Recently, there has been accumulating evidence for other mechanisms of probucol's antiatherogenic effects apart from cholesterol-lowering action. Attention has especially focused on probucol's antioxidant action in the mechanism of antiatherogenesis. In the present article, we will summarize the antiatherogenic and antioxidant actions of probucol.

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    ∗

    Fumio Kuzuyz is a professor in the Department of Geriatrics at Matsumoto University School of Medicine. He obtained his MD from Matsumoto Medical College in 1954 and graduated from the Post-graduate Doctorate Course at Nagoya University at 1959. He obtained his PhD from Nagoya University from Nagoya University in 1959. He is a Director of the Japanese Society of Gerontology, Japan Geriatrics Society, Japan Atherosclerosis Society, Japanese Society of Clinical Nutrition, Japanese Society of Clinical Nutrition, Japanese Society of Free Radical and Lipid Peroxide, Japanese Society of Psychogeriatrics, and Japanese Society of Dementia. Masafumi Kuzuya is Fumio Kuzuya's son and obtained his MD at Osaka Medical College in 1983 and completed specialty training in internal medicine and geriatrics at Nagoya University in 1985. He graduated from the Postgraduate Doctorate Course at Nagoya University in 1991. He is now visiting a fellow in the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute of Aging, NIH.

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