Influence of cholesterol lowering on plasma membrane lipids and cationic transport systems.

Abstract

The present data show that cholesterol lowering in hypercholesterolaemic patients may result in a significant decrease in erythrocyte and platelet membrane cholesterol content. These changes in membrane cholesterol are accompanied by an increase in activity of the Na(+)-K+ pump and a decrease in intra-erythrocyte and intraplatelet Na+ concentrations.