Cholesterol removal by peritoneal lavage with phospholipid-HDL apoprotein mixtures in hypercholesterolemic hamsters

Syrian hamsters were rendered hypercholesterolemic by supplementation of their diet with 1% cholesterol and 15% butter. The hamsters were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with about 20 mg of phospholipid liposomes containing trace amounts of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether ([ 3H]CLE) alone or combined with 10 mg delipidated high-density lipoprotein (apoHDL). After 2 h the peritoneal cavity was washed repeatedly with up to 15 ml phosphate-buffered saline. 60%-70% of [3H]CLE were retained after i.p. injection without apoHDL, 30-50% in the presence of apoHDL. The amount of free cholesterol recovered in the peritoneal lavage was significantly higher when apoHDL was combined with 18:2 sphingomyelin or dilinoleyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes, when compared to either liposomes or apoHDL alone. It is suggested that supplementation of dialysate with HDL apolipoproteins and phospholipids in patients undergoing continuous peritoneal dialysis could be of use in a cholesterol depletion regimen.

Cigarette smoking renders LDL susceptible to peroxidative modification and enhanced metabolism by macrophages

The effect of cigarette smoking on peroxidation of plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) was studied in 16 smokers aged 23-56 years; 12 nonsmokers of similar age served as controls. The smokers were asked to refrain from smoking 24-40 h prior to testing. Peroxidation was assessed by determination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in fresh plasma and LDL and by an increase in 125I-LDL metabolism by peritoneal macrophages. There was no difference in TBARS in freshly prepared plasma or LDL of smokers and nonsmokers. However, LDL of smokers, conditioned by incubation with bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC), had 2-fold or higher TBARS values when compared to SMC conditioned LDL of nonsmokers. 2-4-fold higher TBARS values were seen also in SMC conditioned LDL when the comparison was made between LDL isolated from plasma before smoking of 6-7 cigarettes (time 0), and LDL of the same individual isolated from plasma 90 min thereafter. The metabolism of SMC conditioned 125I-LDL by peritoneal macrophages was examined; LDL isolated from plasma of smokers at time 0 was metabolized twice as avidly as LDL of nonsmokers and a further increase was seen with LDL isolated 90 min after acute smoking. The present results indicate that cigarette smoking renders plasma LDL more susceptible to subsequent peroxidative modification by cellular elements.

Modification of cellular fatty acid composition of Hep-G2 cells: effect of antioxidants on cholesterol esterification and secretion

Modification of fatty acid composition of Hep-G2 cells was achieved by 7-9 days of supplementation of culture medium with palmitic, oleic or linoleic acid. Cholesterol release into serum-free culture medium during 24 h of incubation was significantly lower in cells supplemented with linoleic acid, when compared to those supplemented with palmitic, oleic or no additional fatty acid. In cells cultured in the presence of linoleic acid, less [3H]cholesterol was esterified to cholesteryl ester and the mass of cholesteryl ester was significantly lower than in cells cultured with palmitic acid or with no additional fatty acid. The reduction in [3H]cholesterol secretion and the impairment in cholesterol esterification in linoleic acid-treated cells was prevented by addition of butylated hydroxytoluene or probucol concurrently with the fatty acid. The antioxidants also increased esterification and [3H]cholesterol release in cells supplemented with the other fatty acids. It is suggested that cholesterol secretion and esterification are sensitive to peroxidation.

Divergent fate of unsaturated and saturated ceramides and sphingomyelins in rat liver and cells in culture

The metabolism of sphingomyelins and ceramides with defined labeled fatty acids was compared after injection in vivo or incubation with cultured cells. The liver was the major site of uptake of sphingomyelins and ceramides with 18:2 or 16:0 fatty acids, but with both sphingolipids a higher recovery of radioactivity was found with 16:0 species. The distribution of radioactivity among liver lipids showed that 1.5 h after injection of 18:2 sphingomyelin, only 21% of the label was found as sphingomyelin, and this value was 37% in the case of 16:0 sphingomyelin. There was a very marked difference in the metabolism of 18:2 and 16:0 ceramides. After injection of 18:2 ceramide only 14% of the radioactivity was recovered as sphingomyelin, and this value was more than 50% with 16:0 ceramide. [14C]18:2 ceramide was converted also to glucoceramide and hydrolyzed more extensively than 16:0 ceramide. These observations were extended to sphingomyelins and ceramides with other fatty acids, using Hep-G2 cells in culture. Significantly more radioactivity was recovered as labeled sphingomyelin after incubation with 16:0, 18:0, 20:0 and 24:0 sphingomyelins than with 18:1 and 18:2 sphingomyelins, while more labeled phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were found with the unsaturated sphingomyelins. In analogy to the findings in vivo, in the Hep-G2 cells more 16:0, 18:0 and 24:0 ceramides were converted to sphingomyelin than 18:1 or 18:2 ceramides. These differences were also seen with cultured macrophages, in which a more marked reutilization for sphingomyelin formation was found with the saturated ceramide series. The sphingomyelin liposomes were tested also for their capacity to mobilize cholesterol, and a rise in plasma unesterified cholesterol occurred after injection of 18:2 sphingomyelin. Marked enhancement of cholesterol efflux from cholesterol ester-loaded macrophages was also seen with 18:1 and 18:2, 20:0 sphingomyelin in the presence of delipidated high-density lipoprotein. The present results demonstrate that the metabolic fate of sphingolipids is related to their fatty acid composition. While ceramides with saturated fatty acids are predominantly reutilized for sphingomyelin formation, those with unsaturated fatty acids undergo probably more rapid hydrolysis with liberation of fatty acids and channeling into glycerolipids.

Use of 3H-cholesteryl linoleyl ether as a quantitative marker for loss of cholesteryl ester during regression of cholesterol-induced aortic atheromas in rabbits

In this study, use was made of 3H-cholesteryl linoleyl ether (3H-CLE) to follow regression of aortic atheromatosis induced by feeding cholesterol to rabbits. After a 3-month induction period, the rabbits were divided into two groups with an attempt to match them by plasma cholesterol levels. They were injected with rabbit plasma labeled with 3H-CLE, and the baseline group rabbits were killed 10 to 12 days after injection. The experimental (regression) group rabbits were given rabbit chow containing 3% cholestyramine and were killed up to 330 days thereafter. Aortic 3H-CLE of both the baseline and the regression groups correlated highly with the plasma cholesterol levels at the time of injection of label. The radioactivity recovered in the aortas of the baseline and regression groups was not significantly different, indicating retention of label between day 12 and 330 days after injection. During that time, the mean aortic cholesteryl ester content decreased from 7.6 +/- 1.3 mg to 3.1 +/- 0.7 mg (p less than 0.01). The specific activity of 3H-CLE/cholesteryl ester determined in the aortic arch and the thoracic and abdominal aorta was significantly increased in all three regions examined in the regression group as compared to the baseline group. The present data show that 3H-CLE is retained in the atheromatous aorta for at least 330 days and that its use may add another dimension to the quantitative evaluation of regression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Mechanism of the hypertriglyceridemia induced by tumor necrosis factor administration to rats

4 h after intravenous injection of recombinant HuTNF-alpha to fed rats, an increase in heart, diaphragm, and plasma lipoprotein lipase activity was observed. At the same time, a 40-60% decrease in enzymic activity in epididymal fat pad and kidney and 40% decrease in hepatic lipase activity in liver had occurred. Similar results were obtained 20 h after injection of recombinant HuTNF-alpha into fasted rats. Pretreatment with Indomethacin did not affect the changes in tissue lipoprotein lipase activity observed following recombinant HuTNF-alpha administration. Serum triacylglycerol concentration increased by 2- and 6-fold; 4 and 20 h after recombinant HuTNF-alpha administration. Disappearance of 14C-labeled triacylglycerol from the circulation after injection of small chylomicrons, biosynthetically labeled in their triacylglycerol and cholesterol moieties, was lower in TNF-treated than in control rats. However, the clearance rate of triacylglycerol was the same or even higher in recombinant HuTNF-alpha treated rats (assuming that 14C-labeled chylomicron triacylglycerol represents the serum triacylglycerol pool). The livers of recombinant HuTNF-alpha-treated rats and controls contained similar amounts of 14C-labeled lipids, but less [3H]cholesterol, suggesting that in recombinant HuTNF-alpha-treated rats, the liver took up chylomicron remnant particles enriched with triacylglycerol. Separation of the d less than 1.04 g/ml fraction of serum obtained from control and recombinant HuTNF-alpha treated rats by zonal ultracentrifugation revealed that in recombinant HuTNF-alpha-treated rats the lipoprotein particles were less lipolyzed than in controls. The secretion rate of [3H]triacylglycerol into the serum was determined 90 min after injection of [3H]palmitate albumin complex and Triton WR 1339. In recombinant HuTNF-alpha-treated rats, the secretion of [3H]triacylglycerol into plasma was 48% higher than in controls. It is suggested that the increase in lipoprotein lipase activity of heart and diaphragm resulted from an indirect effect of TNF. It is concluded that the increase in serum triacylglycerol in the recombinant HuTNF-alpha-treated rats is due mainly to an increased secretion of triacylglycerol by the liver. Impaired lipolysis, probably due to a fall in hepatic lipase could also contribute to the rise in plasma triacylglycerol.

Lack of effect of probucol on atheroma formation in cholesterol-fed rabbits kept at comparable plasma cholesterol levels

Rabbits were fed cholesterol for 14 weeks to study the effect of probucol on atheroma formation. Three groups of animals were investigated: group CHOL was fed 1% cholesterol and served as control for group P + CHOL. fed 1% cholesterol and 1% probucol from the onset till the end of the experiment: group CHOL + P received 1% cholesterol throughout the experiment and 1% probucol during the last 4 weeks only. Plasma cholesterol concentrations were monitored at frequent intervals and were modulated by dietary perturbations so that the areas under the curve expressing plasma cholesterol changes with time, were similar in probucol and non-treated rabbits. The efficacy of long-term probucol treatment was evidenced by a significant reduction in plasma apolipoprotein A-I throughout the experiment and lower plasma TBARs during the first 6 weeks, when the hypocholesterolemic effect of probucol was also seen. Two weeks prior to the termination of the experiment, the rabbits were injected with rabbit plasma labeled with [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether [( 3H]CLE). Aortic atheromatosis was quantified by determination of total and cholesteryl ester (CE). The aortic cholesterol content was related to the arch, thoracic and abdominal segments, to the surface area of each segment or its dry defatted weight. Total and esterified cholesterol were highest in the aortic arch in all 3 groups when related to any of the above mentioned parameters. No statistically significant difference in aortic total cholesterol and CE content was seen among the three groups studied. The [3H]CLE recovered in the aortic segment correlated with the CE content and the [3H]CLE (dpm)/mg CE in all segments was similar. No statistically significant difference in the [3H]CLE recovered in the aortic segments among the 3 groups was seen. We conclude that in cholesterol-fed rabbits, in which the plasma cholesterol levels were maintained at comparable levels, probucol treatment did not affect plasma CE influx into the aorta and did not attenuate development of aortic atherosclerosis.

Tissue distribution of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether-labeled human Lp(a) in different rat organs

The sites of tissue uptake of human lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a] were studied in rats using [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether [( 3H]CLE) as a marker. Since rat plasma has no cholesteryl ester transfer activity, the amount of label in various tissues should reflect the quantitative uptake of Lp(a). Isolated Lp(a) was labeled with [3H]CLE by incubation overnight of Lp(a), a source of cholesteryl ester transfer activity (1.23 g/ml infranate of human plasma), and [3H]CLE-labeled Intralipid. Following labeling, the homogeneity and integrity of Lp(a) was shown by agarose electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Intact Lp(a) was injected via the tail vein of rats (120-170 g, n = 4 at each time point), and tissues were collected at various times thereafter (4-48 h). The disappearance curve of [3H]CLE-labeled Lp(a) from rat plasma was bimodal and had an initial rapid t1/2 of 1.8 h followed by a slower component, t1/2 = 13.3 h. Tissue uptake at all sampling times was greatest in liver (28.5% at 48 h of total dpm injected), followed by the intestine (9-12%), with less than 3% uptake by spleen. The small intestine was divided into four segments, and while the 3H radioactivity was similar in the proximal segments, a time-related increase in [3H]CLE was seen in its most distal portion. These studies indicate that the tissue sites of degradation in the rat of human Lp(a) are similar to human low-density lipoproteins (LDL); the increase in label in the distal portion of the small intestine with time may represent [3H]CLE excreted through the bile and absorbed by the mucosal cells.

Modulation of lipoprotein lipase activity in mouse peritoneal macrophages by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor

Thioglycollate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages spontaneously secrete lipoprotein lipase during culture. Exposure of the cultures to 50 ng/ml of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rTNF) for 48 h resulted in a 69% reduction in lipoprotein lipase activity in the culture medium with a concomitant decrease in cellular enzyme activity. The decrease in enzyme activity was not the result of rTNF-dependent reduction in the total protein synthesis, since the presence of rTNF did not affect [3H]leucine incorporation into cellular proteins. The effect of rTNF on lipoprotein lipase was reversible; upon TNF withdrawal, enzyme activity returned to basal levels after 60 h. The reduction of lipoprotein lipase in rTNF-treated cultures could be completely prevented by preincubation with a specific antiserum against recombinant human TNF. The late onset of decrease of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity suggests that rTNF might induce a mediator, which in turn suppresses LPL production. While rTNF was very effective in reducing lipoprotein lipase activity in mouse peritoneal macrophages, it did not affect lipoprotein lipase activity when added to the murine J774 cell line and to CT2 macrophage-like cells, a variant of the J774 cell line.

Tunicamycin-treated rat heart cell cultures synthesize an inactive nonreleasable lipoprotein lipase

Cells isolated from newborn rat hearts were cultured in the presence of 100 mM Hepes (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid). Lipoprotein lipase activity was present in an intracellular and heparin-releasable pool and was also secreted into the culture medium. Treatment of the cultures with 5 micrograms/ml tunicamycin caused almost complete loss of lipoprotein lipase activity in all three compartments. In control cultures, immunoblotting of lipoprotein lipase derived from all three pools revealed a single band of lipoprotein lipase with an apparent Mr of 56,000. In the tunicamycin-treated cultures, the enzyme appeared only intracellularly and had an apparent Mr of 49,000. No immunoreactive enzyme was found in the medium. Thus, glycosylation of lipoprotein lipase in heart cell cultures is mandatory for enzyme activity and translocation from an intracellular to the heparin-releasable pool and for secretion into the medium.

Sphingomyelin liposomes with defined fatty acids: metabolism and effects on reverse cholesterol transport

Small unilamellar liposomes prepared from sphingomyelins with defined 14C-labeled fatty acids were studied after injection into rats. The liposomes contained trace amounts of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether (CLE), which served as a nonexchangeable and nonhydrolyzable marker. The liposomes were cleared from the circulation with an initial t1/2 of about 90 min. [14C]18:0- and [14C]18:1-containing sphingomyelins were cleared at a similar rate, but [14C]18:2-sphingomyelin disappeared much faster. The liver accounted for up to 70% of [3H]cholesteryl ether injected with 18:0-sphingomyelin liposomes, and for up to 50% with liposomes prepared from 18:1 or 18:2-sphingomyelin. The initial uptake of the liver appeared to be of the entire particle, and the loss of 14C label with time indicated metabolism of the sphingomyelins. With [14C]18:0-sphingomyelin liposomes, up to 8% of liver radioactivity was recovered in neutral lipids 6 h after injection, and this value was 17 and 22% with [14C]18:2- and [14C]18:1-sphingomyelins, respectively. The recovery in 'carcass' of [3H]cholesteryl ether 3 h after injection of [14C]18:2-sphingomyelin liposomes was 33% and of 14C label, 21%. Injection of 18:1- or 18:2-sphingomyelin liposomes (5.4 mumol/100 g body weight) resulted in a 2-fold increase of plasma unesterified cholesterol; a 30% increase was seen with 18:0 liposomes (2.63 mumol/100 g body weight). In experiments with cultured cells, the unsaturated sphingomyelin liposomes alone enhanced cholesterol efflux more extensively than the saturated ones, but their efficacies became similar when mixed with apoprotein (apo) A-I. At equimolar concentration, apo C-III1 or C-III2 had a smaller effect than apo A-I. It is concluded that 18:1- or 18:2-sphingomyelin tends to form small unilamellar liposomes which may reach also extrahepatic tissues. The liposomes able to enhance cholesterol release in vitro and in vivo. Since they are not a substrate for lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase, they should be able to deliver the free cholesterol to the liver, where they are also rapidly metabolized.

Lipoprotein lipase in heart cell cultures is suppressed by bacterial lipopolysaccharide: an effect mediated by production of tumor necrosis factor

Exposure of rat heart cell cultures, consisting mainly of nonbeating mesenchymal cells, to 50 ng/ml of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h resulted in a more than 80% reduction in lipoprotein lipase activity. The loss of enzymic activity was accompanied by a concomitant reduction in enzyme protein, as shown by immunoblotting. Addition of LPS to the culture medium resulted also in the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and the fall in lipoprotein lipase in LPS-treated cultures could be prevented by an antibody to TNF. Addition of recombinant human TNF to the heart cell cultures also depressed lipoprotein lipase activity. LPS treatment of preadipocytes in culture resulted in a fall in lipoprotein lipase activity and TNF production. Since TNF is known as a macrophage product, the cultures were tested for phagocytic capacity, and only 0.2-1.3% of the cells were shown to engulf Staphylococcus albus. Immunofluorescent staining with monoclonal antibodies OX-1, which identify leukocyte common antigen, was negative, and only 0.1 +/- 0.07% of the cells were positive after staining with OX-42 antibody to iC3b receptor. Both antibodies stained more than 98% of rat peritoneal macrophages used as controls. Since LPS treatment of macrophages at numbers comparable to or exceeding the number of phagocytic cells present in the heart cell cultures did not induce measurable amounts of TNF, it is suggested that in the heart cell cultures, TNF may be produced by cells other than macrophages.

Family resemblance for serum uric acid in a Jerusalem sample of families

Familial aggregation of serum uric acid was studied in a sample of families examined in the Jerusalem Lipid Research Clinic. We first examined homogeneity of familial correlations across the major origin groups in the Israeli population sample. In general correlations were homogeneous across origin groups, except for spouse pairs. Pooled correlations among biological relatives across the origin groups were all statistically significant. Spouse correlation upon adjustment for concomitant variables was moderately positive (r = 0.115), yet significantly different from zero. Genetic and cultural determinants of uric acid were estimated utilizing a path model with 10 parameters to be estimated from a total of 16 correlations. Under a reduced model, genetic heritability (h2) was estimated to be 0.47 +/- 0.05 and cultural heritability (c2) was 0.11 +/- 0.03. However, our data gave suggestive evidence that cultural heritability was higher in parents (c2 = 0.28) than in children (c2 = 0.10). Commingling analysis and segregation analysis were also performed, and our findings imply that in the Israeli population there is no evidence for a major gene for high uric acid levels segregating in families.

Preferential metabolism by macrophages of conditioned rabbit hypercholesterolemic remnant lipoproteins

Rabbits were fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol, and lipoproteins were isolated from their plasma by sequential ultracentrifugation. Lipoprotein remnants (d = 1.019-1.063) were conditioned by incubation with bovine aortic smooth muscle cells for 24 h and then incubated for 4 h with J774 cells or mouse peritoneal macrophages. Conditioning of remnants and low-density lipoproteins resulted in enhancement of their uptake and metabolism by the macrophages in culture. The macrophages metabolized conditioned remnant lipoproteins more extensively than controls at all concentrations tested. Addition of 10% safflower oil or 10% butter to the 1% cholesterol diet resulted in a molar ratio of linoleic/oleic acid of 1.62 and 0.62 in plasma neutral lipids and of 5.7 and 2.5 in plasma phospholipids. Conditioned remnants, derived after safflower oil feeding, were metabolized more extensively by macrophages than those obtained after butter feeding. This was also true for control remnants (preincubated without cells). Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were higher in remnants from safflower oil-fed than butter-fed rabbit plasma prior to and after conditioning. Mouse peritoneal macrophages metabolized remnant lipoproteins more extensively than low-density lipoproteins. The present results indicate that modification of remnant lipoproteins, the major atherogenic fraction of cholesterol-fed rabbit plasma, results in their enhanced metabolism by macrophages, and that an increase in the linoleic/oleic acid ratio in these lipoproteins might enhance their susceptibility to peroxidative modification.

Biological and environmental sources of familial aggregation of blood pressure: the Jerusalem Lipid Research Clinic

Genetic and cultural determinants of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were estimated using a path model on a sample of families examined in the Jerusalem Lipid Research Clinic. This model involves 10 parameters to be estimated from a total of 16 correlations (leaving ample degrees of freedom to test the goodness-of-fit). The general model fitted SBP (X2(6) = 6.95, p = 0.33) and DBP (X2(6) = 5.44, p = 0.49) very well. Both genetic (h2) and cultural (c2) components of inheritance were statistically significant for both blood pressure variables. Under the most parsimonious model, genetic heritabilities (h2) were estimated to be 0.20 and 0.28 for SBP and DBP respectively. Cultural heritability (c2) was 0.12 for SBP and 0.08 for DBP. A significant fraction of the estimate for cultural inheritance was due to a sibling environmental effect not mediated through their parents. Within this population genetic factors, common environmental factors and concomitant variables such as sex, age and origin explained about 40% of blood pressure variability. Most of the variance appears to be due to unmeasured environmental factors and errors of measurement.

Familial aggregation of body mass index in ethnically diverse families in Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Lipid Research Clinic

Familial aggregation of body mass index in different ethnic populations was studied in a sample of nearly 4000 families resident in Jerusalem. Covariate adjustments were applied to body mass index (BMI) to adjust for variation in means and variances with sex, age and origin and for the effect of education, socioeconomic status and seasonality. The analyses were done separately in each of the origin groups categorized according to the parents' country of birth (Europe, Asia, North Africa, Israel/mixed origin), in order to account for the heterogeneity among the groups. Parent-child correlations were generally homogeneous across the origin groups. Sibling correlations for BMI differed to a greater extent among the groups. The highest correlation was observed in the Asian group (r = 0.49) and the lowest in the North African group (r = 0.16). Pooled correlations among biological relatives across the origin groups were highly significant. Spouse correlation, although significant was smaller, suggesting a stronger influence of genes than shared environment in the determination of the trait. Father-child correlation was significantly higher (r = 0.25) than mother-child value (r = 0.19), suggesting a possible paternal influence on BMI. There was also asymmetry in parent-offspring correlations by the sex of the offspring. Sibling correlation was higher (r = 0.33) than parent-offspring correlation (r = 0.22), suggesting that shared environment within generations tended to have some importance.

Biological and cultural sources of familial resemblance in plasma lipids: a comparison between North America and Israel--the Lipid Research Clinics Program

Heterogeneity in determinants of familial resemblance of lipid and lipoprotein levels between populations in North America and Israel was investigated using path analysis. A common protocol, identical measurement techniques, and the same statistical procedures were used in the two samples. Both genetic (h2) and cultural (c2) determinants of inheritance were significant for all lipid variables in the two studies. Genetic and cultural heritability of total cholesterol (h2 = 0.61, c2 = 0.02), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (h2 = 0.59, c2 = 0.02), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (h2 = 0.55, c2 = 0.06) did not differ significantly between North America and Israel, while there was a significant difference for triglyceride (h2 = 0.41, c2 = 0.07 in North America; h2 = 0.61, c2 = 0.05 in Israel). Secondary parameters of the path model describing intrafamilial environmental relationships differed between the two countries. In particular, there was a higher correlation between marital environments in Israel for all traits except triglyceride, and a larger effect of father's environment on offspring's environment in Israel for all traits. Within both populations, variation of plasma lipids and lipoproteins was mostly explained by genetic factors and random unmeasured environmental factors. The contribution of common family environment was found to be small, though statistically significant. This is probably due to homogeneity of the distribution of familial environmental determinants within both countries.

Metabolic fate and effect on cholesterol removal of liposomes prepared from 1,3-di-O-octadecenylglycero-2-phosphocholine studied in vivo and in vitro

Available methodology was adapted to synthesize a labeled diether analog of 2-phosphatidylcholine (1,3-di-O-9'-cis-[9',10' (n)-3H]octadecenylglycero-2-phosphocholine [( 3H]DOE-2-PC). Unilamellar liposomes prepared by sonication from this phospholipid were injected into rats and, 4 h later, 65-78% of injected label was recovered in the liver. Thereafter, liver radioactivity disappeared with a half-life of 2-3 days. The radioactivity lost from the liver was recovered in the feces and in bile. Analysis of liver radioactivity showed that at all time intervals examined (4 h to 3 days after injection), 90% of the label remained as phospholipid. These findings provide evidence that this structural isomer is not readily metabolized, but is fairly rapidly eliminated from the liver. Of the 10% recovered as neutral lipid, 70% comigrated with diacylglycerol and 30% with triacylglycerol. Similar results were obtained when human hepatoma G2 cells in culture were incubated with [3H]DOE-2-PC liposomes. Following incubation of liposomes with liver homogenates, up to 10% conversion of [3H]DOE-2PC to neutral lipid occurred at pH 4.6, but not at pH 7.4. These data show that conversion of [3H]DOE-2-PC to dialkenylglycerol is catalyzed by a lysosomal enzyme. In separate experiments with cultured cells, sonicated dispersions of DOE-2-PC were mixed with high-density apolipoprotein and were shown to enhance markedly cellular cholesterol efflux. This novel diether phospholipid fulfills some of the criteria required of liposomes for their ability to remove cholesterol from the periphery as well as for drug delivery to the liver, i.e., stability in the circulation, marked hepatic uptake, slow metabolism, and elimination from the body.

Long-term effects of verapamil on aortic smooth muscle cells cultured in the presence of hypercholesterolemic serum

Smooth muscle cells derived from rabbit and bovine aorta were cultured for up to 5 weeks in the presence of d less than 1.019 g/ml fraction of hypercholesterolemic rabbit serum. When this fraction was added to serum containing culture medium, there was a significant increase in DNA, protein, and cholesteryl ester per dish. Addition of 50 microM verapamil markedly reduced the stimulatory effect of the d less than 1.019 g/ml fraction on both DNA and protein content per dish. The effect of verapamil on cholesteryl ester content was more complex: there was an increase within the first week, but later the net accumulation of cholesteryl ester per dish was lower than in untreated dishes. The recovery of less DNA in verapamil-treated dishes was not due to increased cell loss, as evidenced by retention of a residualizing marker, 3H-cholesteryl linoleyl ether. Moreover, verapamil did reduce incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA. In verapamil-treated dishes, there was flattening and a cobblestone appearance of the cells. A hypothesis is proposed to explain the inhibitory effect of verapamil on the development of atheroma formation in cholesterol-fed rabbits: Assuming that macrophages play an active role in cholesteryl ester removal from atheroma, verapamil, which reduces lysosomal cholesteryl ester hydrolysis in macrophages, would permit the lipid-laden macrophage to remove more cholesteryl ester per cell from the arterial wall. In addition, the presently reported results support the possibility that verapamil may impede the development of atheroma formation by reduction of smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Effect of verapamil on cholesteryl ester hydrolysis and reesterification in macrophages

The macrophage-like cell line, J774, and its variant, CT2, were used to study the effect of verapamil on metabolism of esterified cholesterol. The cells had been labelled with 3H-cholesterol for 24 hours and thereafter acetylated low density lipoprotein (LDL) or d less than 1.019 g/ml fraction of hypercholesterolemic rabbit plasma was added. After an additional 24 hours, 60% or 40% of the label, respectively, was recovered in esterified cholesterol in control dishes, but only 2% to 15%, in the presence of 50 microM verapamil. Enhancement of esterification of cellular 3H-cholesterol was also obtained by addition of liposomes with a cholesterol/phosphatidylcholine molar ratio of 2:1. This reaction was almost completely inhibited by compound 58-035, an acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, while addition of verapamil resulted in a dose-dependent partial inhibition which was evident after 4 hours. To determine whether the reduction in cholesterol esterification was due to a direct inhibition of ACAT or to an effect of verapamil on the transport of cholesterol to the site of ACAT activity, the cells were incubated with acetylated LDL labelled with 3H-cholesteryl ester, and the amount of uptake, lysosomal hydrolysis, and cytoplasmic reesterification was determined. In control cells and in cells exposed to the ACAT inhibitor, more than 98% of the 3H-cholesteryl ester taken up had been hydrolyzed. Reesterification of 3H-cholesterol was negligible in the presence of the ACAT inhibitor and amounted to 37.1% in control cells. When verapamil was present, reesterification of 3H-cholesterol to cholesteryl ester was only 4%, while the amount of 3H-cholesteryl ester hydrolyzed was 58% of that taken up.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Preferential binding of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether-HDL3 by bovine adrenal membranes

Membranes isolated from bovine adrenal cortex, incubated with human high-density lipoproteins (HDL3), labeled with 125I and [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether, showed preferential binding of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether. The preferential binding was Ca2+ independent, temperature sensitive and was slightly increased after phospholipase C or pronase treatment. Reduction of membrane phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase A2 resulted in a marked increase in the binding of the entire HDL3 particle and a relative decrease in preferential binding of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether. These findings suggest that the presence of intact phospholipid in the membrane plays an important role in the magnitude of the preferential binding.

Parent-offspring aggregation of plasma lipids in selected populations in North America and Israel. The Lipid Research Clinics Prevalence Study

Parent-offspring associations of total cholesterol and triglycerides were compared between family dyads in six North American populations examined between 1972 and 1976 as part of the North American Lipid Research Clinics Prevalence Study and those from families examined between 1976 and 1979 at the Lipid Research Clinic located in Jerusalem. Common study design, protocol, and laboratory techniques were used by all Lipid Research Clinics. The authors first examined homogeneity of familial correlations across clinics in the North American population and across origin groups in the Israeli sample. In general, correlations were homogeneous across clinics and origin groups, except for parent-daughter pairs for triglycerides in North America. The pooled familial correlations were similar in the two study populations. There was no asymmetry in parent-offspring correlations by the sex of the offspring. The pooled mother-child correlations were significantly higher than father-child values in the North American sample only. The strength of parent-offspring similarity showed no consistent pattern of change with level of education of parents in either study group. Patterns of familial similarity are discussed in relation to genetic, cultural, and environmental differences between the two study populations.