Reduction of plasma cholesterol by lovastatin normalizes erythrocyte membrane fluidity in patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia

The effect of lovastatin on erythrocyte membrane composition and fluidity was investigated in eight patients with severe hypercholesterolaemia (mean LDL-cholesterol of 7.2 mmol l-1). Lovastatin was administered at a dosage of 40-80 mg for 20 weeks and was discontinued for 5 weeks thereafter. Parallel to a 47% fall in plasma LDL cholesterol, there was a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in erythrocyte membrane cholesterol:phospholipid molar ratio, while erythrocyte membrane fluidity assessed by diphenylhexatriene (DPH) fluorescence polarization increased significantly (P < 0.01). Discontinuation of lovastatin resulted in the reversal of erythrocyte membrane composition and fluidity to pre-treatment values.