The effects of hyperlipidemia on lipoprotein metabolism in squirrel monkeys and rabbits

Residence time of low-density lipoprotein in the normal and atherosclerotic rabbit aorta

Previous results from this laboratory found that the arterial low-density lipoprotein (LDL) residence time in lesion-prone aortic sites was longer in hyperlipidemic rabbits before lesion formation than in the corresponding sites in normolipidemic rabbits. The calculation of residence time in the previous study assumed that the arterial wall was homogeneous; the present study reexamines the issue using a method that does not require such an assumption. The concentration of radiolabeled arterial LDL was measured in New Zealand White rabbits killed at several different times (0.5 to 72 hours) after injection of labeled LDL. Using a stochastic analysis, arterial LDL residence time was calculated from the pooled labeled arterial LDL measurements from these rabbits. In these studies, the arterial LDL residence times in normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic rabbits before lesion formation were similar in both the lesion-prone and -resistant sites. However, immediately upon development of early fatty streak lesions, the arterial LDL residence time increased dramatically. After only 16 days of cholesterol feeding, the residence time was 10 times longer in the lesioned aortic arch compared with similar tissue from normolipidemic rabbits (4 to 45 hours). After 21 days of cholesterol feeding, the residence time of LDL in the lesioned aortic arch increased to > 25-fold that of normolipidemic tissue. Similar results were observed in the lesioned tissue of the abdominal branchings. This early retention of LDL suggests that significant changes are taking place within the arterial wall during this critical stage of early lesion development.

Reduced atherogenesis in cholesterol-fed diabetic rabbits. Giant lipoproteins do not enter the arterial wall

In cholesterol-fed rabbits, alloxan-diabetes has an anti-atherogenic effect, which is associated with severe elevation of plasma triglyceride concentrations. To study this effect, we measured lipoprotein sizes and aortic permeability coefficients for cholesteryl ester and for albumin in hypertriglyceridemic diabetic cholesterol-fed rabbits and in normotriglyceridemic cholesterol-fed rabbits. With the same high cholesterol concentration in plasma, hypertriglyceridemic diabetic rabbits had 70% of plasma cholesterol in very large lipoproteins (diameter greater than 75 nm), whereas normotriglyceridemic rabbits had only about 10% of plasma cholesterol in these giant lipoproteins. The aortic permeability coefficients for cholesteryl ester in hypertriglyceridemic diabetic cholesterol-fed rabbits was only 10% to 50% of that in normotriglyceridemic cholesterol-fed rabbits. Aortic permeability coefficients for albumin did not differ significantly between the hypertriglyceridemic and normotriglyceridemic rabbits. The results suggest that the large size of a major fraction of plasma lipoproteins in the hypertriglyceridemic diabetic cholesterol-fed rabbits is responsible for the relatively low aortic permeability coefficient for cholesteryl ester from plasma and hence for reduced atherogenesis in these animals.

Antiatherogenic effect of olive and corn oils in cholesterol-fed rabbits with the same plasma cholesterol levels

Two groups of 18 rabbits were fed isocaloric, cholesterol-enriched diets for 8 weeks. The diet for one group was supplemented with 5% corn oil. The concentration of cholesterol in plasma was determined weekly and the amount of cholesterol in the diet was adjusted individually so that each rabbit had a mean plasma cholesterol concentration of about 45 mM during the experimental period. The aortic cholesterol concentrations were 122 +/- 29 and 193 +/- 38 (mean +/- SEM) mumol/g protein for the corn-oil group and the control group, respectively (p less than 0.05). In a similar experiment, each of 36 rabbits was given a mean plasma cholesterol level of about 20 mM over a period of 12 weeks. One-third of the rabbits received 10% to 15% corn oil, another third 10% to 15% olive oil, while the last third served as a control group. The aortic cholesterol concentrations were 98 +/- 25, 57 +/- 9, and 131 +/- 32 mumol/g protein, respectively. The value for the olive-oil group was significantly (p less than 0.01) lower than the value for the control group. The triglyceride concentrations and the distributions of cholesterol between HDL, LDL, and VLDL in plasma showed no significant differences between the plant-oil groups and their control groups. This suggests that plant oils have a direct effect on the aortic cholesterol metabolism.

Metabolism of native and acetylated low density lipoproteins in squirrel monkeys with emphasis on aortas with varying severities of atherosclerosis

We studied the clearance of 131I-labeled native low density lipoproteins (LDL) and 125I-acetyl LDL from the blood of hypercholesterolemic and atherosclerotic squirrel monkeys which had been fed a semipurified diet supplemented with cholesterol for 3 years and from control monkeys which had been fed the same diet without cholesterol. In agreement with previous observations in other species, acetyl LDL left the circulation much more rapidly than native LDL. The cholesterol supplemented monkeys removed native 131I-LDL to the liver, the major site of clearance of both LDL forms, more slowly than controls. The overall clearance of 125I-acetyl LDL was similar for the two groups. The aortic intima plus inner media (AIM) cleared both LDL forms much more slowly than other organs, and the ratio of acetyl LDL to native LDL cleared was quite high. The outer media (OM) showed less selectivity for acetyl LDL than the AIM. While LDL clearance by the OM was not affected by diet, the LDL clearance per g of AIM tissue was increased by 2-fold for both native and acetyl LDL in the cholesterol supplemented monkeys. These monkeys also had a 3-fold increase in AIM weight (due to intimal and subintimal thickening), which resulted in a 6-fold increase in the total LDL cleared by the AIM. The clearance of both LDL forms by the AIM correlated with three indices of atherosclerosis: intimal thickness, AIM weight, and AIM cholesterol concentration. The correlations were higher in the case of acetyl LDL clearance which may be due to the high affinity of the acetylated form for macrophages.

Effect of verapamil on accumulation of free and esterified cholesterol in the thoracic aorta of cholesterol-fed rabbits

In order to investigate the effect of the calcium antagonist verapamil on atherogenesis in cholesterol-fed rabbits, 3 groups of 11 animals were fed a 2% cholesterol-enriched diet for 10 weeks. One group received verapamil in a daily dose of 16 mg/kg orally plus 2 mg/kg subcutaneously. This dosage resulted in plasma concentrations of verapamil in the same range as the usual therapeutic levels in humans. Another group received verapamil in a daily dose of 8 mg/kg orally and 0.5 mg/kg subcutaneously. The third group received placebo capsules orally and isotonic saline subcutaneously. Total cholesterol concentrations in plasma over the 10 weeks were 37 +/- 4, 42 +/- 4 and 45 +/- 3 mM (mean +/- SE) in the high verapamil-, in the low verapamil- and in the placebo group, respectively. These values were not significantly different. The distribution of cholesterol between HDL, LDL and VLDL in plasma was similar in the 3 groups. The high verapamil group had a significantly (P less than 0.05) lower concentration of cholesterol in the thoracic aorta than the placebo group (29 +/- 5 vs 43 +/- 9 mumol/g wet weight). The low verapamil group and the placebo group had the same aortic cholesterol concentrations. Neither dosage of verapamil affected the permeability of the aortic endothelium to plasma lipoproteins and albumin, as measured by use of radioactive tracers at the end of the experiment.

Influx, efflux, and hydrolysis of cholesteryl ester in atheromatous lesions of cholesterol-fed rabbits

Total plasma lipoproteins were labeled with radioactive cholesteryl ester or cholesteryl ether by transfer of these lipids from phosphatidylcholine vesicles in the presence of plasma lipid transfer activity. Intravenous injection of these preparations into hypercholesterolemic rabbits showed disappearance curves identical to those of in vivo labeled lipoproteins. Disappearance of cholesteryl ester and ether were similar during the first 24 hours, but they diverged at later time intervals, indicating recirculation of labeled cholesteryl ester. Lipoproteins labeled with cholesteryl ether were injected at 25 days, 7 days and 1 day before sacrifice of the rabbits. The maximal loss of labeled ether from the aortas during a 24-hour period ranged from 1.6% to 8.9% of the labeled ether taken up from plasma. Hydrolysis of cholesteryl ester by the artery during 24 hours averaged 35% of the calculated cholesteryl ester influx. After hydrolysis, cholesteryl ester fatty acid appeared to be esterified more rapidly than the cholesterol moiety of the cholesteryl ester.

Effect of high density lipoproteins on permeability of rabbit aorta to low density lipoproteins

A study was made on the effect of high density lipoproteins (HDL) on the permeability of rabbit aorta to low density lipoproteins (LDL) after intravenous administration of human HDL and human [125I]LDL to normal and hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Evaluation of radioactivity in plasma and aorta has shown that the administration of a large dose of HDL decreased the aorta permeability rate for [125I]LDL on an average by 19% in normal rabbits, and by 45% in rabbits with moderate hypercholesterolemia. A historadiographic study showed that HDL also decreased the vessel wall permeability to [125I]LDL in normal and particularly in hypercholesterolemic animals. The suggestion was made that HDL at very high molar concentration can hamper LDL transportation through the intact endothelial layer into the intima due to the ability of HDL to compete with LDL in sites of low affinity on the surface of endothelial cells.

No effect of nifedipine on atherogenesis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

It was recently reported that the calcium antagonist nifedipine suppresses aortic cholesterol accumulation in cholesterol-fed rabbits without reducing hypercholesterolemia. We extended this study on plasma lipoprotein levels and aortic influx of cholesteryl ester. We gave 40 mg per day of nifedipine orally to 17 rabbits fed a 2% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. For the same period of time 15 control rabbits received placebo capsules and the same diet. During the study, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and VLDL cholesterol concentrations in plasma were not significantly different in the experimental and control animals. At the end of the study we found no difference in the two groups in accumulation of cholesterol in the intima media of the proximal thoracic aorta, the distal thoracic aorta, and the corresponding media layers. Furthermore, aortic influx of free cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, and albumin from plasma measured by radioactive tracers was not significantly affected by nifedipine.

Dynamics of lipoprotein-glycosaminoglycan interactions in the atherosclerotic rabbit aorta in vivo

Dynamics of lipoprotein-glycosaminoglycan interactions in aortas were studied in vivo using the atherosclerotic rabbit model. Severe hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis were produced by relatively long-term feeding of a high cholesterol diet. [35S]Sulfate uptake by aorta was measured to assess the sulfated glycosaminoglycan metabolism while the plasma and aorta distribution of 125I-labeled LDL after intravascular injection was determined to monitor aortic LDL uptake and complex formation with glycosaminoglycans. The retention and distribution of LDL as lipoprotein-glycosaminoglycan complexes in different extracellular connective tissue elements were evaluated by extracting the tissues with saline, collagenase and elastase. Hypercholesterolemia with atherosclerosis resulted in a several-fold increase in the uptake of LDL by aorta despite a marked reduction of 125I-labeled LDL in the plasma compartment and in a significant increase in glycosaminoglycan content of aorta coupled with an increased 35S incorporation into glycosaminoglycans. Elastase-solubilized fractions from normal aortas and collagenase-solubilized fractions from atherosclerotic aortas contained maximum labeled and nonlabeled glycosaminoglycan, suggesting alterations in the make-up of fibrous structures of connective tissue matrix in atherosclerosis. Saline extraction and collagenase and elastase digestions solubilized varied proportions of lipoprotein-cholesterol and 125I-labeled LDL, thereby representing different pools of extracellular matrixbound lipoproteins. A tendency for 125I-labeled LDL to increase in collagenase- and elastase-solubilized fractions with time (4 h vs. 24 h) was noted. The occurrence of both lipoproteins and glycosaminoglycan (labeled and nonlabeled) in the ultracentrifugal floating fraction at solvent density 1.063 g/ml demonstrated that the lipoproteins solubilized by different extraction procedures occur in part as lipoprotein-glycosaminoglycan complexes. The specific activities of glycosaminoglycan in the complexes obtained by different extraction procedures differed markedly (elastase greater than collagenase greater than saline), emphasizing the presence of different pools of complexes. Thus, besides arterial cell-mediated processes, extracellular matrix components are important in affecting the retention and accumulation of LDL in atherosclerosis.

Use of 3H-cholesteryl linoleyl ether for the quantitation of plasma cholesteryl ester influx into the aortic wall in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

In this study use was made of 3H-cholesteryl linoleyl ether CLE), a nondegradable analogue of cholesteryl ester (CE) to measure plasma lipoprotein CE influx into rabbit aorta. Autologous serum labeled with 3H-CLE was injected into seven hypercholesterolemic rabbits, and more than 90% of the label was recovered in the plasma compartment 10 minutes after injection. Between 4 hours and 3 days the label was cleared from the circulation with a t1/2 of about 24 hours. Between 4 and 24 hours the lipoproteins isolated at d less than 1.006, d less than 1.019, and d less than 1.063 approached similar specific activity, assuming that 3H-CLE had mixed with the lipoprotein CE pool. The rabbits were killed 7 to 14 days after injection when plasma radioactivity decreased to less than 0.03% of injected dose/ml. Total recovery of the CLE ranged from 70% to 95% and 48% to 72% were found in the liver. The minimum influx of plasma CE into the aortic intima was determined by dividing the label found in the artery by the mean specific activity of the labeled compound in the plasma. The minimum influx into regions with atheromatous involvement ranged from 0.8 to 3.4 micrograms CE/cm2/hr. The rate of influx was highly correlated with the amount of CE mass in the intima and media indicating that the bulk of aortic CE is derived from plasma lipoprotein CE. The method described might be useful in distinguishing between possible effects of "antiatherogenic" drugs on plasma CE influx into the aortic wall from an effect on intracellular CE hydrolysis and subsequent efflux of free cholesterol from the artery.

Arterial influx of esterified cholesterol from two plasma lipoprotein fractions and its hydrolysis in vivo in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Arterial influx of esterified cholesterol from 2 plasma lipoprotein fractions, d less than 1.019 and d greater than 1.019, and influx of plasma free cholesterol were determined in each of 15 hypercholesterolemic rabbits with approximately the same plasma cholesterol concentrations but with different extents of arterial lesions. The procedure consisted of injecting intravenously into recipient rabbits [14C]- or [3H]cholesterol-labeled lipoproteins prepared from donor rabbits. The esterified cholesterol of one lipoprotein fraction was labeled primarily with one isotope and that of the other lipoprotein fraction was labeled with the other isotope. Thoracic aortas were removed 4-6 h after lipoprotein injections. The arterial influx of esterified cholesterol was up to 50 times higher in rabbits with maximal lesions than in those with minimal cholesterol deposits. the arterial influx of cholesteryl ester derived from d less than 1.019 lipoproteins was about equal to that derived from the d greater than 1.019 fraction. The amount of cholesteryl ester in plasma d less than 1.019 was approximately 3 times that in d greater than 1.019. Thus, per unit of cholesteryl ester concentration the d less than 1.019 lipoproteins delivered about 1/3 as much cholesteryl ester to the artery as the lipoproteins in the higher density fractions. some 5-40% of plasma esterified cholesterol which had entered the artery was hydrolyzed in the artery during the experimental period. The influx of free cholesterol that could not be accounted for by the influx of intact plasma lipoproteins was 5-80% of the free cholesterol influx. This excess probably represents free cholesterol influx by an exchange between the plasma lipoproteins and the intimal surface of the artery.

In vivo influx, tissue esterification and hydrolysis of free and esterified plasma cholesterol in the cholesterol-fed rabbit

The influx of free and esterified cholesterol into various tissues of cholesterol-fed rabbits is calculated from the tissue [3H] cholesterol and [14C] cholesterol content - corrected for radioactivity in contaminating plasma - after a 3--6 h exposure to in vivo-labeled plasma. The plasma free cholesterol was labeled primarily with 3H and the esterified cholesterol with 14C or vice versa. The influx calculation is based on total 3H and 14C in tissues and two linear equations that take into account esterification and hydrolysis of sterol fractions by the tissues. The influx of esterified cholesterol into tissue samples from aorta, heart, small intestine and lung was 10--80 nmol-g--1-h--1, whereas the influx into adrenal, spleen and liver was from 400--2500 nmol--g-1--h-1. The influx of free cholesterol was considerably higher than expected if free and esterified cholesterol had entered the tissues together as part of plasma lipoproteins. This excess of free cholesterol influx can be ascribed to cholesterol exchange between plasma lipoproteins and tissues, which in several tissues amounted to more than 80% of the total free cholesterol influx. From tissue free and esterified cholesterol radioactivity, one can calculate that 20--70% of the newly entered esterified cholesterol was hydrolyzed by various tissues and that most tissues esterified less than 10% of newly entered cholesterol during the experimental period. However, esterification of plasma cholesterol by adrenals averaged 50% of that taken up during a 3-6 h period.

Influence of dietary unsaturated and saturated fat on the plasma lipoproteins of Mongolian gerbils

Lipid and apoprotein moieties of the plasma lipoproteins of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were compared in animals fed semipurified diets containing either coconut oil (COC) or safflower oil (SAF). COC-induced hypercholesterolemia was associated with elevations in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Saturated fat feeding also resulted in th saturation of fatty acids of triglycerides and cholesteryl esters of VLDL and LDL, but had little effect on HDL fatty acids. Lipoprotein composition and size were not influenced by the type of dietary fat, suggesting that the hypercholesterolemia with saturated fat feeding was due to the circulation of a greater number of lipoprotein particles. The apoproteins of gerbil lipoproteins had molecular weights comparable to other animals. The relative amounts of apoproteins, particularly the apoC peptides, increased with dietary fat saturation.

Transfer of plasma lipoprotein components and of plasma proteins into aortas of cholesterol-fed rabbits. Molecular size as a determinant of plasma lipoprotein influx

The arterial influx of esterified and free cholesterol from low density lipoproteins and very low density lipoproteins in 20 hypercholesterolemic rabbits was measured simultaneously by the use of lipoproteins labeled in vivo with [3H]- and [14C]-cholesterol. The simultaneous arterial influx of either [3H]-leucine-labeled very low density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, high density lipoproteins, or plasma proteins was also measured in each rabbit. The arterial influx was calculated as intimal clearance, i.e., the influx of a given fraction divided by its plasma concentration. The intimal clearance of low density lipoprotein esterified cholesterol was equal to that for the apolipoproteins of that fraction, which is compatible with an arterial influx of intact low density lipoprotein molecules. The intimal clearance of very low density apolipoprotein or cholesteryl ester was less than that for low density lipoprotein, whereas high density lipoprotein and albumin clearances exceeded low density lipoprotein clearance by 1.5- to 3-fold. The intimal clearances of plasma proteins, high density, low density, and very low density lipoproteins decreased linearly with the logarithm of the macromolecular diameter. This indicates that the arterial influx of three plasma lipoprotein fractions and of plasma proteins proceeds by similar mechanisms. Apparently the relative intimal clearances of lipoproteins are more dependent on their size relative to pores or vesicular diameters at the plasma-artery interface than on specific interactions between lipoproteins and the arterial intimal surface.

Density distribution, characterization, and comparative aspects of the major serum lipoproteins in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a New World primate with potential use in lipoprotein research

Qualitative, quantitative, and comparative aspects of the serum lipoprotein profile in the Common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a New World primate, are described. Density gradient ultracentrifugation was used to evaluate lipoprotein distribution and to establish criteria for isolation of discrete molecular fractions. The major lipoprotein classes banded isopycnically on the gradient with the following hydrated densities: VLDL, d less than 1.017 g/mL; LDL, d = 1.027--1.055 g/mL; HDL fraction I, d = 1.070--1.127 g/mL; and HDL fraction II, d = 1.127--1.156 g/mL. Electrophoretic, immunological, and electron microscopic analyses attested to the purity of these fractions: the characteristics of each were assessed by chemical analysis, electron microscopy, immunological techniques, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of their protein moieties. Marmoset VLDL and LDL were closely akin to those of man in size and chemical composition, although the former were richer in triglyceride; electrophoretic and immunological data showed the major protein component of VLDL and LDL to be a counterpart to human apo-B. The two HDL subfractions, i.e., HDL-I and HDL-II, corresponded in size and chemical composition to human HDL2 and HDL3, respectively, although slight differences in neutral lipid content were detected. By immunological and electrophoretic criteria, the major apolipoprotein of marmoset HDL was analogous to human apo-AI. In contrast, marked dissimilarities were evident in the complements of low molecular weight, tetramethylurea-soluble polypeptides of marmoset and human lipoproteins. Quantitatively, the human and marmoset lipoprotein profiles were not dissimilar, although HDL was the major class (approximately 50%); in fasting animals, serum concentrations of VLDL, LDL, and HDL were 50--90, 170--280, and 338--408 mg/dL, respectively. C. jacchus was distinct from man in displaying a greater proportion of its total HDL in the less dense (HDL-II) subfraction (marmoset HDL-I/HDL-II = approximately 4:1; human HDL2/HDL3 = approximately 1:3). These data indicate that, as an experimental animal for lipoprotein research, the Common marmoset combines the advantages of ready availability and maintenance with a serum lipoprotein profile which resembles, in many qualitative and quantitative aspects, that found in man.

Low density lipoprotein receptors and catabolism in primary cultures of rabbit hepatocytes

Rabbit 125I-labelled low density lipoproteins (LDL) were incubated with primary monolayer cultures of rabbit hepatocytes in studies designed to assess the role of liver in LDL catabolism at the cellular level. After hepatocytes were preincubated for 20 h in lipoprotein-free medium, they exhibited time- and concentration-dependent interaction with 125I-labelled DLD at concentrations to 1 mg LDL protein/ml and times to 24 h. After a 3 h (37 degrees C) incubation with 50 microgram LDL protein/ml, hepatocytes bound 400 ng (LDL protein)/mg (cell protein), internalized 280 ng/mg, and degraded 660 ng/mg. Internalization and degradation may be greater than indicated by these values since pulse studies suggested the presence of a deiodinase which attacks cell associated 125I-labelled LDL. The amounts of LDL bound to hepatocytes after 3 h (37 degrees C) were similar to amounts for fibroblasts, but DLD internalization and degradation were considerably less. Rabbit hyperlipidemic 125I-labelled DLD showed the same amount of binding but 1.39 times more internalization and degradation than normolipidemic 125I-labelled LDL. Binding of both control and hyperlipidemic LDL was 3-fold greater at 24 and 42 h than at O or 3 h but addition of a 50-fold molar excess of high density lipoproteins (HDL) prevented increased LDL binding with time. Induction of specific high affinity receptors for binding LDL was shown to occur by preincubation of hepatocytes for increasing periods in lipoprotein-free medium and then measuring 125I-labelled LDL binding at 4 degrees C in the presence and absence of excess unlabelled LDL. Finally, hepatocytes took up 40 times more LDL than sucrose or dextran over a 24-h period, an indication that the uptake of LDL occurs via some mechanism other than simple bulk fluid endocytosis.

Hypercholesterolemia and triglyceride secretion rates in monkeys fed different dietary fats

The influence of hypercholesterolemia on the triglyceride secretion rate was studied in both squirrel and cebus monkeys fed coconut oil, corn oil, or safflower oil. The triglyceride secretion rate (TGSR) was determined in vivo following the administration of Triton WR1339, which blocks the clearance of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Thus, the increase observed in circulating triglyceride after Triton administration presumably reflecte hepatic triglyceride (VLDL) secretion in the fasted state. The VLDL-TGSR was lowest in hypercholesterolemic monkeys and highest in those fed unsaturated fat diets and having a low serum cholesterol. In all instances, TGSR was inversely correlated with the plasma cholesterol concentration. While a definitive explanation for these observations must await further investigation, the possibility that circulating low density lipoprotein (LDL) acts to feed back on VLDL secretion is discussed. The decreased TGSR associated with the diet-induced cholesterolemia also implies clearance of VLDL is impaired under these conditions.

Triacylglycerol and very low density lipoprotein secretion into plasma of squirrel monkeys

We determined the effects of varying the types and level of dietary fat and cholesterol on the increase in plasma total triacylglycerol concentrations after injection of Triton WR-1339, an inhibitor of lipoprotein lipase, into monkeys that had been subjected to an overnight fast. The monkeys that had been treated with Triton WR-1339 were then given a test meal by intragastric intubation. Dietary cholesterol, high levels of fat and saturated fat in the habitual diet reduced the rate of release of triacylglycerol to plasma in the fasted monkey. We also determined the changes in protein and lipid concentrations of the different lipoprotein fractions. The injection of Triton WR-1339 resulted in a linear increase with time in the concentration of protein and triacylglycerol in the very low density (chylomicron-free and d less than 1.006) lipoproteins, but there was an increase in the ratio of traicylglycerol to protein in that fraction. Most of the increase (96%) in very low density protein was in the B protein. Regardless of the habitual diet, a test meal accentuated the rate of triacylglycerol appearance in whole plasma and in the very low density lipoproteins of Triton WR-1339-treated monkeys, and the rate of increase of the protein component after feeding was slightly higher. Thus the administration of a meal to the fasted Triton WR-1339-treated squirrel monkey further increased the proportion of triacylglycerol in very low density lipoproteins. Although dietary cholesterol and saturated fat in the habitual diet depressed the rate of increase in very low density triacylglycerol during fasting, the rate of protein synthesis was not significantly affected. After administration of a test meal the rates of increase in triacylglycerol and protein in the very low density lipoproteins were similar for monkeys from the different diet groups. Triton WR-1339 administration caused a slight and progressive increase in the intermediate density (d 1.006-1.019) lipoproteins and a marked and progressive decrease in the low density (d 1.019-1.063) lipoproteins. There was an immediate (by 5 min) drop of 70% or more in high density (d 1.063-1.21) lipoprotein protein, but the lipids except triacylglycerol remained unchanged. There was a decrease in both the A (the major fraction) and C proteins. The rates of very low density B protein secretion were comparable to the rates of low density lipoprotein catabolism that had been previously demonstrated for this species.

Influence of lysophosphatidylcholine on the metabolism of plasma lipoproteins

Both low density lipoproteins and cellular membranes are known to have a high affinity for lysophosphatidylcholine. In this study lysophosphatidylcholine influenced the retention of lipoproteins by arterial tissue in vitro and the rate of disappearance of low density lipoproteins from the blood in vivo. Pieces of aorta from rabbits or rhesus monkeys were successively incubated for 90 min each in 2 or 3 solutions. After the last incubation the intima plus inner media was dissected from the remainder of the aorta for analysis. The second incubation always contained lipoproteins labeled with [3H]leucine. When lysophosphaticylcholine was included in the first but not in the second incubation fluid, the retention of low, or high density lipoproteins by the intima plus inner media increased. A subsequent incubation of the piece of artery in a fluid with trypsin or lysophosphatidylcholine caused a release of some of the lipoproteins. Lysophosphatidylcholine was bound simultaneously by plasma low density lipoproteins and vascular tissue in vitro and appeared to promote the association of the latter two components. When lysophosphatidylcholine equal to 2--10 times the usual total intravascular content was injected intravenously into control squirrel monkeys or rabbits, it was rapidly cleared from the blood. On the other hand, injected lysophosphatidylcholine persisted in the blood of hyperlipoproteinemic rabbits and was associated with the low density lipoproteins. In control animals, the injection of lysophosphatidylcholine was associated with an increase in the rate of removal of 125I-labelled low density lipoprotein from plasma and of its appearance in liver.

The effects of dietary fat and cholesterol on the metabolism of plasma low density lipoprotein apoproteins in squirrel monkeys

Low density lipoprotein apoproteins from squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) had characteristic 2-phase die-away curves in plasma. The kinetic constants were similar with three methods of labeling: in vitro with 125I by the iodine monochloride or the Bolton-Hunter methods or in vivo by the injection of [3H]-leucine into a donor animal. Dietary cholesterol and the type of dietary fat influenced the concentration of plasma cholesterol and low density lipoproteins. The fractional turnover of low density lipoprotein apoprotein was greaterin monkeys fed semipurified diets with safflower oil than in those on butter but was not influenced by dietary cholesterol. The total low density lipoprotein apoprotein turnover (the product of fractional turnover and plasma lipoprotein concentration) was highest in monkeys fed butter plus added cholesterol and lowest in those on safflower oil without cholesterol. Dietary safflower oil resulted in a smaller proportion of the total low density lipoprotein pool in the intravascular compartment than did butter, regardless of whether cholesterol was added.

Metabolism of lipoproteins in nonhuman primates. Reduced secretion of very low density lipoproteins in squirrel monkeys with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia

We have studied the effects of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia on the rates of secretion of triglycerides into the plasma of fasted squirrel monkeys. Two groups of monkeys were studied: control animals which were fed a semipurified diet not associated with hyperlipemia (plasma cholesterol 127 +/- 8 mg/100 ml), and animals made hypercholesterolemic (plasma cholesterol 307 +/- 31 mg/100 ml) by being fed a diet containing 25% butter and 0.5% cholesterol. After intravenous infusion of Triton WR 1339 (300 mg/kg body wt), plasma triglycerides increased almost linearly for 9-12 hours. Analysis of individual lipoproteins separated by ultracentrifugation showed that newly secreted triglycerides were present almost exclusively in the very low density lipoprotein fraction. The rates of triglyceride secretion in the hypercholesterolemic group of monkeys (5.15 +/- 0.86 mg/kg/hr) were less than half those of the control animals (10.96 +/- 2.15 mg/kg/hr). We suggest that in monkeys with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia high concentrations of plasma low density lipoproteins may inhibit the synthesis and/or secretion of their parent very low density lipoprotein molecules into the circulation.