Hypoalbuminemia and proteinuria contribute separately to reduced lipoprotein catabolism in the nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Hypertriglyceridemia is a result of reduced triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoprotein (TRL) catabolism and occurs in rats with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and in Nagase analbuminemic rats (NARs). While the heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase (LpL) pool in NAR and in NS is similar, TG levels are significantly greater in NS, suggesting that factors other than reduced LpL alone act in NS but not in NARs. Furthermore, clearance of chylomicrons (CM) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is normal in vivo in NAR despite low LpL levels. We tested the hypotheses that impaired binding of VLDL and impaired VLDL-high density lipoprotein (HDL) interactions contribute to hyperlipidemia in NS.

METHODS

TG and apoB secretion was measured using Triton WR 1339. Clearance of CMs by perfused hearts from NS and NAR was determined. Binding of VLDL from control, NS and NAR to rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) was measured prior to and following incubation with HDL from NS, NARs, and control. ApoE, protein, and TG content was determined.

RESULTS

TG levels were greatest in NS (516 +/- 95 mg/dL), intermediate in NAR (193 +/- 20), and least in control (97 +/- 16, P = 0.05), while in contrast, TG secretion was least in NS (178 +/- 33 mg/dL/hour) versus 212 +/- 17 in NAR and 294 +/- 15 in control (P < 0.001 vs. NS). Clearance of CMs by NS and NAR hearts was the same and significantly reduced versus control (P < 0.005). Binding of NS-VLDL to endothelial cells was reduced, while NAR-VLDL binding was increased versus control (P < 0.001). Incubation of NS-VLDL with control or NAR HDL increased VLDL binding compared with binding following incubation with NS HDL (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Increased TG levels in both NS and NAR are the result of decreased TRL clearance. TG levels are greater in NS because of the presence of a combined defect: (1) a decrease in endothelial-bound LpL that occurs as a consequence of reduced serum albumin concentration, and (2) a defect in VLDL binding to endothelial-bound LpL. This latter defect occurs only in the presence of proteinuria and is conferred by HDL.

Infection and inflammation induce LDL oxidation in vivo

Epidemiological studies have shown an increased incidence of coronary artery disease in patients with chronic infections and inflammatory disorders. Because oxidative modification of lipoproteins plays a major role in atherosclerosis, the present study was designed to test the hypothesis that the host response to infection and inflammation induces lipoprotein oxidation in vivo. Lipoprotein oxidation was measured in 3 distinct models of infection and inflammation. Syrian hamsters were injected with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), zymosan, or turpentine to mimic acute infection, acute systemic inflammation, and acute localized inflammation, respectively. Levels of oxidized fatty acids in serum and lipoprotein fractions were measured by determining levels of conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and lipid hydroperoxides. Our results demonstrate a significant increase in conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in serum in all 3 models. Moreover, LPS and zymosan produced a 4-fold to 6-fold increase in conjugated diene and lipid hydroperoxide levels in LDL fraction. LPS also produced a 17-fold increase in LDL content of lysophosphatidylcholine that is formed during the oxidative modification of LDL. Finally, LDL isolated from animals treated with LPS was significantly more susceptible to ex vivo oxidation with copper than LDL isolated from saline-treated animals, and a 3-fold decrease occurred in the lag phase of oxidation. These results demonstrate that the host response to infection and inflammation increases oxidized lipids in serum and induces LDL oxidation in vivo. Increased LDL oxidation during infection and inflammation may promote atherogenesis and could be a mechanism for increased incidence of coronary artery disease in patients with chronic infections and inflammatory disorders.

Oxidized cholesterol in the diet accelerates the development of atherosclerosis in LDL receptor- and apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

The aim of the current study was to determine whether oxidized cholesterol in the diet accelerates atherosclerosis in low density lipoprotein receptor- (LDLR) and apolipoprotein E- (apo E) deficient mice. Mice were fed either a control diet or a diet containing oxidized cholesterol. For LDLR-deficient mice, the control diet consisted of regular mouse chow to which 1.0% cholesterol was added. The oxidized diet was identical to the control diet except that 5% of the added cholesterol was oxidized. In apo E-deficient mice, the control diet contained 0.15% cholesterol, whereas in the oxidized diet, 5% of the added cholesterol was oxidized. LDLR-deficient and apo E-deficient mice were fed the experimental diets for 7 and 4 months, respectively. In mice fed the oxidized-cholesterol diets, the levels of oxidized cholesterol in sera were increased. At the end of the experiment, aortas were removed and atherosclerosis was assessed. We found that in LDLR-deficient mice, feeding of an oxidized-cholesterol diet resulted in a 32% increase in fatty streak lesions (15.93+/-1.59% versus 21.00+/-1.38%, P<0.03). Similarly, in apo E-deficient mice, feeding of an oxidized-cholesterol diet increased fatty streak lesions by 38% (15.01+/-0.92% versus 20. 70+/-0.86%, P<0.001). The results of the current study thus demonstrate that oxidized cholesterol in the diet accelerates fatty streak lesion formation in both LDLR- and apo E-deficient mice.

Effect of oxidized lipids in the diet on oxidized lipid levels in postprandial serum chylomicrons of diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether humans with type 2 diabetes have increased levels of oxidized fatty acids in their serum chylomicron fraction after the ingestion of dietary oxidized fatty acids.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study was performed on 31 male type 2 diabetic patients and 24 age-matched control subjects. Among the diabetic patients, 22 had poor glycemic control, defined as HbA1 > 10% (normal value < 7.7%). Nine patients had good glycemic control (HbA1 < or = 10). Heated corn oil containing low or high levels of oxidized fatty acids was used as a test meal. At 2.5 h after the test meal, 50-ml blood samples were obtained from all subjects, and the chylomicron fraction (Sf > 1,000) was isolated. The degree of oxidation in chylomicrons was determined by measuring conjugated dienes. For determining the postprandial levels of triglycerides and of oxidized lipids in serum chylomicrons over an extended time period, blood samples were obtained at 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 h for isolation of chylomicrons and determination of fatty acid oxidation.

RESULTS

We found that at 2.5 h after the consumption of the test meal containing either a low or high oxidized fatty acid content, conjugated dienes in serum chylomicrons in diabetic subjects in poor glycemic control were increased compared with those in control subjects. Diabetic patients in good glycemic control had similar levels of oxidized lipid in their chylomicrons when compared with control subjects. Additionally, in diabetic patients in poor glycemic control, the levels of oxidized lipids in chylomicrons remained elevated for an extended post-prandial period.

CONCLUSIONS

In diabetic subjects with poor glycemic control, dietary oxidized lipids induce an exaggerated and sustained increase in the levels of oxidized lipids in chylomicrons when compared with either control subjects or diabetic patients with good glycemic control. These increased postprandial levels of potentially atherogenic oxidized lipids may contribute to the accelerated atherosclerosis associated with diabetes.

Structural characterization and functional effects of a circulating heparan sulfate in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma

A circulating anticoagulant was isolated from the plasma of a 42-year-old man with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma who had an unusual coagulation test profile. The patient developed a fatal coagulopathy, unresponsive to protamine therapy or plasma exchange following liver biopsy. However, at presentation, routine hemostasis assays were normal. The patient had mucocutaneous bleeding but the sole laboratory abnormality was a prolonged thrombin time (TT = 99 s, normal 25-35 s). Protamine titration indicated activity equivalent to a heparin concentration of 6-7 U/ml. Antithrombin III (AT III) antigen and activity were markedly elevated. The anticoagulant activity, purified from plasma by DEAE chromatography, was identified as a glycosaminoglycan (GAG). GAG anti-thrombin activity was completely abolished by heparin lyase III. Based on the degree of sulfation and HPLC pattern, the GAG was classified as heparan sulfate. Low levels (4 microM) of purified GAG markedly prolonged the TT (>120 s) but not the activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) (31.4 s). In a Factor Xa assay, the GAG exhibited a potency equivalent to 0.06 U of low molecular weight heparin per nmol of uronic acid. Patients with endogenous circulating glycosaminoglycans can present with unusual laboratory coagulation test profiles. These reflect complex dysfunction of hemostasis, leading to difficulty in providing diagnosis and effective care.

Oxidized cholesterol in the diet accelerates the development of aortic atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Oxidized lipoproteins may play a role in atherosclerosis. Recently, we have demonstrated that the levels of oxidized fatty acids in the circulation correlate directly with the quantity of oxidized fatty acids in the diet and that dietary oxidized fatty acids accelerate atherosclerosis in rabbits. The present study tests the hypothesis that oxidized cholesterol in the diet accelerates the development of atherosclerosis. Rabbits were fed a diet containing 0.33% nonoxidized cholesterol (control diet) or the same diet containing 0.33% cholesterol of which 5% was oxidized (oxidized diet). Serum cholesterol levels increased to a similar extent in both groups, with the majority of cholesterol in the beta-VLDL fraction. Moreover, in the serum beta-VLDL fraction and liver, there was a significant increase in the oxidized cholesterol levels. Most importantly, feeding a diet enriched in oxidized cholesterol resulted in a 100% increase in fatty streak lesions in the aorta. Western diets contain high concentrations of oxidized cholesterol products, and our results suggest that these foods may be a risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Exposure to cigarette smoke delays the plasma clearance of chylomicrons and chylomicron remnants in rats

We investigated the effects of cigarette smoke exposure on the clearance of chylomicrons (CM) and CM remnants in rats after administration of a fat-containing meal. There was a decrease in clearance of both postprandial CM and exogenous radiolabeled CM in smoke-exposed animals. For exogenous CM, clearance (t1/2) increased significantly for both triglyceride and cholesterol labels and correlated with the delay in liver uptake. This decrease in lipid clearance could not be explained by decreased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity because smoke exposure resulted in a significant increase in LPL activity. When the hydrolysis of CM by endothelial LPL was tested in a heart perfusion system, there was no difference in CM hydrolysis between the two groups. Hepatic lipase activity was also unchanged in smoke-exposed animals. However, there was a significant delay in the CM remnant uptake into livers isolated from smoke-exposed rats. Thus the delay in CM clearance in smoke-exposed animals cannot be attributed to reduced lipase activities but results from impaired hepatic uptake of CM remnants.

LIF and CNTF, which share the gp130 transduction system, stimulate hepatic lipid metabolism in rats

We determined the effects of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) on lipid metabolism in intact rats. Administration of LIF and CNTF increased serum triglycerides in a dose-dependent manner with peak values at 2 h. The effects of LIF and CNTF on serum cholesterol were very small, and serum glucose was unaffected. Both LIF and CNTF stimulated hepatic triglyceride secretion, hepatic de novo fatty acid synthesis, and lipolysis. Pretreatment with phenylisopropyl adenosine, which inhibits lipolysis, partially inhibited LIF- and CNTF-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Interleukin-4, which inhibits cytokine-induced hepatic fatty acid synthesis, also partially inhibited LIF- and CNTF-induced hypertriglyceridemia. These results indicate that both lipolysis and de novo fatty acid synthesis play a role in providing fatty acids for the increase in hepatic triglyceride secretion. Neither indomethacin nor adrenergic receptor antagonists affected the hypertriglyceridemia. The combination of LIF plus CNTF showed no additive effects consistent with the action of both cytokines through the gp130 transduction system. Thus LIF and CNTF have similar effects on lipid metabolism; they join a growing list of cytokines that stimulate hepatic triglyceride secretion and may mediate the changes in lipid metabolism that accompany the acute phase response.

Oxidized lipids in the diet are incorporated by the liver into very low density lipoprotein in rats

Previous studies have shown that the quantity of oxidized lipids in the diet directly correlates with the level of oxidized chylomicrons in mesenteric lymph and the level of oxidized lipids in endogenous lipoproteins such as very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL). The aim of the present study was to determine whether oxidized fatty acids in the diet are delivered via chylomicrons to the liver and whether these lipids are repackaged and secreted in VLDL. In these experiments, oxidized [14C]linoleic acid was utilized as a marker for oxidized dietary fats. When we determined the metabolism of nonoxidized and oxidized [14C]linoleic acid-labeled chylomicrons, we found that hepatic uptake was similar with 13.57 +/- 0.84% of nonoxidized and 13.40 +/- 0.96% of oxidized linoleic acid delivered to the liver 30 min after chylomicron administration. Additionally, uptake by the extrahepatic tissues was also similar. When the hepatic secretion of VLDL was determined in an in vitro perfusion system after the administration of nonoxidized and oxidized linoleic acid-labeled chylomicrons to intact animals, we found that oxidized linoleic acid was utilized for the formation and secretion of VLDL. After the administration of labeled nonoxidized and oxidized linoleic acid, 0.86 +/- 0.07% and 0.70 +/- 0.09% of the administered label was found in the liver perfusate at 2 h, respectively. The presence of oxidized linoleic acid in oxidized VLDL was confirmed by demonstrating the presence of hydroperoxide-derived hydroxy octadecanoic acid. Thus, our findings demonstrate that oxidized dietary lipids are delivered to the liver via chylomicrons where they are utilized for synthesis of endogenous lipoproteins such as VLDL.

Keratinocyte growth factor increases fatty acid mobilization and hepatic triglyceride secretion in rats

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family that was originally identified as a keratinocyte mitogen after isolation from a lung fibroblast cell line. In this study, we demonstrate that administration of KGF to mice and rats elevates serum lipid levels. In rats, 1 h after KGF administration, serum triglyceride and FFA levels were increased, with peak values at 2 h (1.9-fold increase). The increase in serum triglyceride levels was sustained for at least 16 h. Serum cholesterol levels were also increased, but the effect was delayed beginning at 4 h, with peak values at 16 h (1.27-fold increase). KGF did not decrease the clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, but increased hepatic triglyceride secretion. KGF stimulated lipolysis, but not hepatic de novo fatty acid synthesis, and the increased delivery of FFA to the liver plays a crucial role in the KGF-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Neither alpha- nor beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists affected the hypertriglyceridemia induced by KGF, indicating that endogenous catecholamines are not involved in mediating KGF-induced hypertriglyceridemia. These results demonstrate that KGF induces hypertriglyceridemia by increasing hepatic triglyceride secretion, with the fatty acids provided by lipolysis making a major contribution. Thus, KGF could modulate lipid metabolism in vivo.

Lipoteichoic acid stimulates lipolysis and hepatic triglyceride secretion in rats in vivo

The host response to infection is frequently accompanied by changes in lipid metabolism. Previous studies have shown that endotoxin (LPS), a component of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, increases serum lipid levels. In this study, we demonstrate that lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a component of the cell membrane of gram-positive bacteria, also increases serum lipid levels in rats in a dose-dependent manner (0.1-300 micrograms/200 g body weight). Serum triglyceride levels increased within 2 h after LTA administration with peak values at 4 h (2-fold increase). Serum cholesterol levels also increased but the effect was delayed occurring at 16 h and was relatively small (1.2-fold increase). LTA (10 micrograms/200 g BW) did not decrease adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity or the clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Rather, the LTA-induced hypertriglyceridemia is due to an increase in hepatic triglyceride secretion. LTA stimulates both hepatic de novo fatty acid synthesis and lipolysis. The increased delivery of free fatty acids to the liver plays a major role in the LTA-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Pretreatment with phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist, and alprenolol, a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, or phentolamine alone significantly suppressed the hypertriglyceridemia induced by LTA. These adrenergic inhibitors had no significant effect on the increase in lipolysis. These results indicate that catecholamines are involved in mediating the LTA-induced increase in hepatic triglyceride secretion via alpha-adrenergic receptors. These changes in lipid metabolism may play an important role in the organism's response to gram-positive infection.

Interleukin-6 stimulates hepatic triglyceride secretion in rats

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) not only regulates a variety of immune functions, but also is the most potent cytokine in inducing the hepatic acute phase proteins. We determined the effect of IL-6 on serum lipid levels and the mechanism of IL-6-induced hypertriglyceridemia in rats. Intravenous administration of IL-6 (0.1-10 micrograms/200 g BW) increased serum triglyceride levels in a dose-dependent manner. One hour after IL-6 administration, serum triglyceride levels were increased, with peak values at 2 h (2.2-fold increase). Serum cholesterol levels also increased, but the effect was delayed, first occurring at 4 h and peaking at 8 h (1.24-fold increase). IL-6 treatment increased hepatic triglyceride secretion without decreasing the clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, indicating that the hypertriglyceridemia was due to increased secretion by the liver. Furthermore, IL-6 stimulates lipolysis, and the increased delivery of FFA to the liver significantly contributed to the IL-6-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Neither alpha 1- nor beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists affected the hypertriglyceridemia induced by IL-6, whereas previous studies have shown that endotoxin-induced hypertriglyceridemia was blocked by alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists. These results demonstrate that IL-6 induces hypertriglyceridemia by stimulating hepatic triglyceride secretion independent of endogenous catecholamines. Thus, changes in hepatic triglyceride metabolism are another acute phase response that can be induced by IL-6.

The effect of oxidized lipids in the diet on serum lipoprotein peroxides in control and diabetic rats

The levels of oxidized serum lipoproteins are increased in humans and animals with diabetes. We have examined the contribution of dietary oxidized lipids on the levels of oxidized lipoproteins. In both control and streptozocin induced diabetic rats, the oxidized lipid content of mesenteric lymph chylomicrons (CM) increased when increasing quantities of oxidized lipids were administered intragastrically. However, at all levels of administered oxidized lipids, the quantity of oxidized lipids in CM was greater in the diabetic animals. These results indicate that oxidized lipids are absorbed and packaged into CM and suggest that there is increased absorption of oxidized lipids in diabetic animals. In nondiabetic rats fed a fat-free diet, the levels of oxidized lipids in their serum lipoproteins were very low. When oxidized lipids were added to the diet, the quantity of peroxides in serum lipoproteins increased about fivefold. In diabetic animals fed a fat-free diet, there were also very low levels of oxidized lipids in their serum lipoproteins, and there was no difference between control and diabetic rats. However, when diabetic animals were fed a diet containing oxidized lipids, the quantity of oxidized lipids in their serum lipoproteins increased 16-fold and were significantly greater than in controls. Thus, in both control and diabetic rats the quantity of oxidized lipids in the diet largely determines the levels of oxidized lipids in circulating lipoproteins. However, in diabetic animals the effect of diet is more pronounced. Together with the CM studies, these results demonstrate that dietary oxidized lipids make a major contribution to the levels of oxidized lipids in circulating lipoproteins and indicate that increased absorption of oxidized lipids in diabetic animals may play a role in the elevation of oxidized lipoproteins observed in this disorder.

Cigarette smoke alters chylomicron metabolism in rats

PURPOSE

Cigarette smoking may exert its atherogenic effect by delaying the plasma clearance of dietary fat and cholesterol, allowing more time for their interaction with the artery wall. To study the effects of smoke on chylomicron metabolism in rats, we examined the metabolic effects of smoke on both whole animals and chylomicron particles in vitro.

METHODS

Carbon 14- and hydrogen 3-labeled chylomicrons were injected intravenously into smoke-treated rats and control rats that were not exposed to smoke (sham smoked). Plasma clearance, hepatic uptake, and heart binding were measured. In a second set of experiments, chylomicron particles were exposed to cigarette smoke in vitro by either: (1) passing smoke through chylomicrons suspended in saline solution (SCM) or (2) passing smoke through saline solution alone, then mixing the saline solution with chylomicrons (CM + SS). Normal (non-smoke exposed) rats were infused with either SCM, CM + SS, or control chylomicrons (CCM). Plasma clearance, hepatic uptake, and heart binding were again measured.

RESULTS

The initial plasma clearance time of labeled chylomicrons did not differ between smoke-treated and control animals. However, hepatic uptake of chylomicron cholesterol was slower in smoke-treated animals (46.1% +/- 0.9% of injected dose) than in controls (61.5% +/- 2.1%, p < 0.001). In contrast, more labeled chylomicrons remained in the heart of smoke-treated rats than controls (0.89% +/- 0.18% vs 0.45% +/- 0.05%, p < 0.05). Disappearance of 14C-labeled cholesterol from blood was delayed in rats injected with SCM (half-life = 9.0 +/- 0.4 minutes) and CM + SS (half-life = 8.0 +/- 0.4 minutes), compared with the time in rats injected with CCM (6.6 +/- 0.3 minutes, p < 0.05). Hepatic uptake of SCM (40.6% +/- 1.9% of injected dose) and CM + SS (45.0% +/- 1.9%) was less than that of CCM (60.7% +/- 4.4%, p < 0.05). In addition, the binding to the heart increased from 0.97% +/- 0.29% (CCM) to 2.45% +/- 0.30% with the infusion of SCM (p < 0.05). The binding in the heart of CM + SS (0.95% +/- 0.04%) was not different from that of CCM.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate for the first time that cigarette smoke exposure prolongs chylomicron residence time in tissues (heart) and delays hepatic uptake of chylomicron cholesterol in rats. The effect is present when either the animal or the chylomicron particle is exposed to smoke. We hypothesize that prolonged binding of relatively cholesterol-rich chylomicron remnants to endothelial surfaces could create a more atherogenic postprandial milieu.

Defective lipolysis persists in hearts of rats with heymann nephritis in the absence of nephrotic plasma

Catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, including chylomicrons (CM), is reduced in the nephrotic syndrome. It has been suggested that hyperlipidemia per se might lead to reduced CM catabolism by saturating catabolic sites. Evidence also implicates disordered high-density lipoprotein function as reducing the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the final effector of CM lipolysis. To establish whether CM lipolysis would be abnormal in the absence of either abnormal rat lipoproteins or hyperlipidemia, we measured CM lipolysis by isolated perfused hearts of rats with passive Heymann nephritis. We found that lipolysis was significantly reduced by 30% at 30 minutes (246 +/- 40 mumol v 164 +/- 10 mumol fatty acid released/hr, P < 0.05). Uptake of fatty acids was also significantly less in nephrotic hearts than in control hearts (7.25% +/- 0.93% of dose v 3.32% +/- 0.011% of dose, P < 0.01). Total heart LPL activity was reduced by 40% in hearts of nephrotic animals (368.5 +/- 39.4 mumol v 210.6 +/- 25.9 mumol free fatty acid released/hr/g heart, P < 0.01). The heparin-releasable LPL pool is that pool bound to the vascular endothelium and represents the biologically active fraction. We perfused hearts with heparin and found that heparin-releasable LPL was reduced by an order of magnitude in hearts from nephrotic rats (173 +/- 33 mumol v 19.4 +/- 11.7 mumol free fatty acid released/hr/heart, P < 0.001). The decrease in this pool represented nearly entirely the difference in total heart LPL in the two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of dietary lipid peroxides on metabolism of serum chylomicrons in rats

We have found that in rats the peroxide content of chylomicrons (CM) is determined by the lipid peroxide concentration in the diet, indicating that dietary lipid peroxides are incorporated into the lymph CM. Moreover, these incorporated lipid peroxides influence the normal CM metabolism. When radiolabeled CM were injected into rats, there was no difference in the initial plasma removal between CM prepared from oil with low peroxide content (control CM) and CM prepared from oil with high peroxide content (oxidized CM). However, the tissue distribution of the labels indicated that the hepatic uptake of CM decreased with increasing lipid peroxide content of CM. At 10 min after injection of CM, liver uptake of cholesterol label was 48.39 +/- 3.08% for control CM and 31.41 +/- 10.73% for oxidized CM. Vitamin E enrichment of control CM increased their hepatic uptake to 61.07 +/- 0.83%. Additionally, binding of oxidized CM to the heart endothelium increased from 2.55 to 3.60% compared with binding of control CM. When the hydrolysis of control and oxidized CM by endothelial lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was tested in a heart perfusion system, we found that after 30 min, 56.51 +/- 5.81% of control and 76.82 +/- 1.75% of oxidized CM were not hydrolyzed and remained in the perfusate. Thus our results indicate that the altered metabolism of oxidized CM may be related to a reduced hydrolysis rate by endothelial LPL.

Endotoxin rapidly induces changes in lipid metabolism that produce hypertriglyceridemia: low doses stimulate hepatic triglyceride production while high doses inhibit clearance

Hyperlipidemia frequently accompanies infectious diseases and may be due to increases in lipoprotein production or decreases in lipoprotein clearance. The administration of endotoxin (LPS) has been used to mimic infection and prior studies demonstrate that LPS produces hypertriglyceridemia. In the present study in rodents, the dose of LPS necessary to induce hyperlipidemia was orders of magnitude less than that necessary to induce shock and death. As little as 10 ng/100 g body weight induced hypertriglyceridemia and this increase in serum triglyceride levels occurred rapidly (78% increase at 2 h). At high doses of LPS (50 micrograms/100 g body weight), the clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins was decreased. At low doses of LPS (100 ng/100 g body weight), triglyceride clearance was not altered but the hepatic secretion of triglyceride was increased. Low dose LPS stimulated hepatic de novo fatty acid synthesis and lipolysis, both of which provided a source of fatty acids for the increase in hepatic triglyceride production. High dose LPS did not increase hepatic fatty acid synthesis or peripheral lipolysis, and hepatic triglyceride secretion was not stimulated. Thus, low dose LPS produces hypertriglyceridemia by increasing hepatic lipoprotein production, while high dose LPS produces hypertriglyceridemia by decreasing lipoprotein catabolism. Administration of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibodies or interleukin 1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist did not prevent the increase in serum triglyceride levels induced by LPS. However, anti-TNF antibodies and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) blocked the increase in serum triglycerides induced by TNF or IL-1, respectively. These data suggest that neither of these cytokines is absolutely required for the increase in serum triglycerides induced by LPS, raising the possibility that other cytokines, small molecular mediators, or LPS itself may play a crucial role.

Both peripheral chylomicron catabolism and hepatic uptake of remnants are defective in nephrosis

We showed previously that proteinuria caused delayed chylomicron (CM) clearance in the rat and postulated the existence of a primary defect in CM hydrolysis. It was possible that reduced CM clearance resulted from increased lipogenesis causing saturation of catabolic sites and not from a primary defect in CM catabolism. To clarify this point we measured kinetically the absolute rate of triglyceride (TG) uptake from CM in rats with Heymann nephritis (HN) and normal Sprague-Dawley rats (SD) and determined TG uptake in individual tissues using [3H]TG- and [14C]cholesterol-labeled CM. Hepatic [14C]cholesterol uptake was reduced in HN (69.3 +/- 6 vs. 7.2 +/- 2% of dose, P less than 0.001). TG uptake was reduced in HN measured kinetically (1.01 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.213 +/- 0.028 mg TG.min-1.100 g body wt-1, P less than 0.001) and reduced in all tissues (heart, skeletal muscle, fat, and liver). CM are catabolized on the vascular endothelium to atherogenic, cholesterol-rich remnant (CM remnant) particles, which are then rapidly taken up by the liver. We measured hepatic CM remnant uptake in SD and in HN using [14C]cholesterol-labeled CM remnant. CM remnant uptake was significantly reduced in HN (58 +/- 1.2 vs. 20 +/- 0.86% uptake, P less than 0.01). CM remnants were increased significantly in plasma of HN. Thus the nephrotic syndrome causes a primary defect in the uptake of TG from CM that is expressed in all tissues and a separate defect in hepatic CM remnant uptake. Although CM remnant generation is impaired because of defective CM hydrolysis, the defect in hepatic CM remnant uptake is so severe that these particles accumulate in blood, posing a potential risk for atherogenesis.

Chylomicron and chylomicron remnant metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic rats

The small intestine is an important source of plasma lipoproteins in various diabetic animal models. This increase in intestinally derived lipids originate from diet and/or primary lipid synthesis, and these lipids are transported to the plasma as chylomicrons (CM). The understanding of the metabolism of these triglyceride-rich particles has assumed considerable importance. When [14C]cholesterol and [3H]triglyceride-labeled normal CM were injected into rats, we found no difference in either initial plasma clearance or in the hepatic uptake between control and diabetic rats. However, the clearance rate and hepatic uptake were dependent on the triglyceride concentration administered. Both the initial clearance and hepatic uptake in control and diabetic rats slowed to a similar extent with increasing triglyceride dose demonstrating the influence of the size of the endogenous triglyceride pool on the metabolic rate of CM. No difference was found in the clearance of CM remnants between control and diabetic rats when examined both in vivo and in liver perfusion experiments. Furthermore, with affinity chromatography, we found that the increase in serum triglycerides levels in diabetic rats was due to triglyceride-rich very-low-density lipoproteins and/or CM and not to the accumulation of remnants, which supports the observation that remnant clearance is not impaired. Despite the absence of alterations in bulk CM metabolism, we observed an increase in CM-CM remnant binding to the endothelium in hearts of diabetic rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of interleukin-1 on lipid metabolism in the rat. Similarities to and differences from tumor necrosis factor

Infection and inflammation are associated with hypertriglyceridemia, which is thought to be mediated by cytokines. Previous studies at our laboratory and others have shown that tumor necrosis factor acutely increases serum triglyceride levels primarily by stimulating hepatic lipid synthesis and secretion. The role of interleukin-1 (IL-1), a cytokine that is also secreted by stimulated macrophages and that has many actions that overlap those of tumor necrosis factor, has not been studied in depth. The present study demonstrates that IL-1, at doses similar to those that cause fever and anorexia and that stimulate adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion, rapidly increases serum triglyceride levels; this elevation persists for at least 17 hours. Serum cholesterol levels are not altered by IL-1. Neither is the clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins affected by IL-1. However, hepatic triglyceride secretion, measured by the Triton WR-1339 technique, is increased in IL-1-treated animals. Accompanying this stimulation in hepatic lipid secretion is an increase in de novo fatty acid synthesis in the liver. IL-1 does not increase serum free fatty acid and glycerol levels, suggesting that IL-1 does not stimulate lipolysis in vivo. Additionally, inhibition of lipolysis does not prevent the increase in serum triglyceride levels, providing further evidence that lipolysis does not play a crucial role in the increased hepatic lipid synthesis and secretion induced by IL-1. In contrast, tumor necrosis factor increases lipolysis, which contributes to the increase in serum triglycerides. That multiple cytokines rapidly elevate plasma triglyceride levels suggest that these changes in lipid metabolism may play an important role in the organism's response to infection and inflammation.

Tumor necrosis factor-increased hepatic very-low-density lipoprotein production and increased serum triglyceride levels in diabetic rats

Previous studies demonstrated that administration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) to diabetic rats rapidly increases serum triglyceride levels and stimulates hepatic lipogenesis without affecting the activity of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase or serum insulin levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism by which TNF increases serum triglyceride levels and stimulates hepatic fatty acid synthesis in diabetic animals. The maximal increase (approximately 2-fold) in serum triglyceride levels in diabetic rats is seen with a dose of 10 micrograms TNF/200 g body wt, and the half-maximal effect is observed with 5 micrograms TNF/200 g body wt. The clearance of labeled triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the circulation is not affected by TNF administration (triglyceride t 1/2; diabetic vs. TNF-administered diabetic, 3.5 +/- 0.7 vs. 4.0 +/- 0.6 min, respectively; NS). The production of triglyceride, measured by the Triton WR-1339 technique, is increased twofold in diabetic animals after TNF administration. These results indicate that the rapid increase in serum triglyceride levels after TNF treatment is accounted for by increased hepatic lipoprotein secretion. TNF administration did not alter either the amount or activation state of hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase, a key regulatory enzyme in fatty acid synthesis. There was also no change in the hepatic levels of fatty acyl-CoA, an allosteric inhibitor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. However, there was a 71% increase in hepatic citrate concentrations. Citrate is an allosteric activator of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and changes in hepatic citrate concentrations have been shown to mediate changes in the rates of fatty acid synthesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Proteinuria, not altered albumin metabolism, affects hyperlipidemia in the nephrotic rat

It has been established previously that nephrotic hyperlipidemia is characterized by both an increase in lipid synthesis and a defect in removal of lipoproteins. The relationship between these defects and altered albumin metabolism is uncertain. One hypothesis is that hepatic lipogenesis increases in parallel with albumin synthesis. To test this hypothesis, albumin synthesis was increased in nephrotic rats fed an 8.5% protein diet (LPN) by increasing dietary protein to 40% (HPN). Proteinuria was modulated in half of the rats fed 40% protein by enalapril (HPE). Albumin synthesis was the same in both HPN and HPE, but proteinuria was reduced in HPE compared to HPN, and so were serum cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). To examine the effect of serum albumin on lipid clearance in the absence of proteinuria, plasma clearance of chylomicrons (CM) and VLDL was measured in Nagase analbuminemic rats (NAR) and found to be no different than in normal SD rats. When proteinuria was induced in NAR and in SD rats, a severe and identical defect in both CM and VLDL clearance was acquired in both groups and blood lipid levels were increased to a similar degree in both groups. Neither hyperlipidemia nor defective removal of lipoproteins from the circulation are linked to albumin synthesis or serum albumin concentration but result, at least in part, from proteinuria. Postheparin lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity was reduced slightly in nephrotic animals compared to nonnephrotic controls, but the most striking finding was a highly significant decrease in postheraprin LPL activity in normal NAR compared to SD rats (P less than 0.001), suggesting that reduced LPL activity is not responsible for reduced clearance of CM and VLDL in nephrotic rats.

Diet affects the mechanisms by which TNF stimulates hepatic triglyceride production

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induces hyperlipidemia in rodents by increasing hepatic triglyceride production. We now explore the mechanism of this increase. TNF does not increase phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, glycerolphosphate acyltransferase, or diacylglycerol acyltransferase, which are enzymes of triglyceride synthesis. Rather, TNF increases triglyceride production by providing increased fatty acids (FA) as substrate. In chow-fed rats, TNF increases plasma free fatty acids (FFA). The antilipolytic drug, phenylisopropyl adenosine (PIA), prevents the TNF-induced increase in plasma FFA and, most importantly, inhibits the TNF-induced increase in plasma triglycerides. Thus increased lipolysis with delivery of FA to liver contributes to TNF-induced hyperlipidemia in chow-fed animals. In contrast, in rats fed a high-sucrose diet, TNF causes hyperlipidemia without increasing plasma FFA, and PIA has no effect on TNF-induced increases in plasma triglycerides. However, in sucrose-fed rats, TNF markedly stimulates hepatic de novo FA synthesis, which provides FA. This diet determines the mechanism by which TNF stimulates hepatic triglyceride production. The use of multiple mechanisms to increase plasma triglycerides suggests that this TNF action plays an important role in the response to infection or inflammation.

Testosterone regulates metabolism of plasma chylomicrons in rats

Previously we demonstrated a marked sex difference in the metabolism of chylomicrons in adult rats. In males, radiolabeled chylomicrons displayed a longer dwell time on endothelial surfaces, which resulted in a decreased chylomicron uptake by the liver. The increased rate of chylomicron metabolism in females was associated with increased postheparin lipoprotein lipase activity. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of physiological doses of sex steroid hormones on the metabolism of chylomicrons and postheparin lipoprotein lipase activity. No sex differences were found in prepubertal animals. We also found no difference in chylomicron metabolism in control female, castrated female, estrogen-treated female, castrated male, and estrogen-treated male rats. However, control male, testosterone-treated male, and testosterone-treated female rats showed increased endothelial binding of chylomicrons and decreased chylomicron uptake by the liver. Postheparin lipoprotein lipase activity also was decreased by testosterone administration. In parallel with the alterations in chylomicron metabolism, serum high density lipoprotein levels in male rats decreased with testosterone administration. These results indicate that the differences in chylomicron metabolism, postheparin lipoprotein lipase activities, and serum high density lipoprotein levels observed between male and female rats are due to testosterone.

Effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on lipid metabolism in the diabetic rat. Evidence that inhibition of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity is not required for TNF-induced hyperlipidemia

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) administration produces an increase in plasma triglycerides that may be due to inhibition of adipose lipoprotein lipase activity and/or a stimulation of hepatic lipogenesis. We now report that TNF administration to insulinopenic diabetic rats increases serum triglycerides (2 h, 2.4-fold; 17 h, 4.3-fold). Adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity was markedly decreased in diabetic animals compared with controls and was not further inhibited by TNF. Incorporation of tritiated water into fatty acids in the liver was increased 45% 1-2 h after TNF and 87% at 16-17 h. These results indicate that the TNF-induced increase in circulating lipid levels can occur in the absence of a TNF-induced inhibition of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity. Moreover, the clearance from the circulation of triglycerides in chylomicrons was similar in control and TNF-treated animals; these results provide further evidence that the removal of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins is not altered in the TNF-treated animals. Our data suggest that the TNF-induced stimulation of hepatic lipid synthesis may play an important role in the increase in serum triglycerides. In addition, TNF administration to diabetic animals leads to an elevation in serum glucose levels (73% at 17 h) without a change in serum insulin levels. Thus, TNF stimulation of hepatic lipogenesis is independent of changes in insulin.

A possible mechanism for accelerated atherogenesis in male versus female rats

Dietary fat and cholesterol enter the circulation as chylomicrons. They are removed from the circulation by attachment to lipoprotein lipase located on the endothelial surfaces. As the result of lipoprotein lipase action, chylomicrons are partially hydrolyzed and then reenter the circulation as remnants, which are rapidly cleared by the liver. We investigated the fate of 3H-retinol- and 14C-cholesterol-labeled chylomicrons injected into male and female rats. The disappearance curves of chylomicrons from the circulation were not significantly different in males and females, which suggests that translocation from plasma to endothelium is similar for both sexes. However, in male rats, the "dwell time" of chylomicrons on the endothelium was significantly prolonged. At 10 and 20 minutes after chylomicron injection, more label was found in the livers of female than male rats. The opposite was true for hearts. Male hearts contained significantly more endothelium-bound chylomicrons when compared with female hearts. This increase in dwell time may allow greater cholesterol deposition in the endothelium of male rats. The more rapid processing of chylomicrons was associated with a 300% greater postheparin lipoprotein lipase in female rats, which suggests a greater enzyme density at chylomicron attachment points on endothelium.

Glycosaminoglycans and chylomicron metabolism in control and nephrotic rats

Nephrotic patients and rats with experimentally induced nephrotic syndrome have elevated plasma triglycerides and impaired triglyceride removal. This may be due to a defective interaction of chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins with lipoprotein lipase. Since the glycosaminoglycan, heparan sulfate, was found to stimulate the lipoprotein lipase reaction in vitro, we investigated the plasma heparan sulfate content and measured the urinary excretion of heparan sulfate in control rats and rats with experimentally induced nephrotic syndrome. In addition, we studied the effect of heparan sulfate on the rate of removal of radiolabeled chylomicrons in nephrotic rats. Glycosaminoglycan concentrations in plasma were the same in control and nephrotic rats, although 35S incorporation in high charge glycosaminoglycans was markedly reduced. In addition, in nephrotic rats there is a marked reduction in the urinary excretion of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate suggesting a markedly reduced turnover of these glycosaminoglycans. This was associated with increased plasma triglycerides in nephrotic rats. Nephrotic rats showed a reduced rate of clearance of injected chylomicrons. Intravenous administration of heparan sulfate completely and immediately corrected the chylomicron removal defect. We also noted a log-dose response effect of administered heparan sulfate on chylomicron removal. This effect was not due to a release of soluble lipoprotein lipase by heparan sulfate. These findings suggest that a rapidly turning over fraction of plasma heparan sulfate may play an important role in chylomicron clearance.

Analysis of selected plasma constituents in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis effluent

Patients maintained on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) lose plasma constituents into the dialysis effluent. We have analyzed 24-hour CAPD effluents for selected components--total protein, a typical glycoprotein (alpha 1-acid glycoprotein), a typical lipoprotein (high density lipoprotein), and glycosaminoglycans. Our findings suggest that the plasma constituents found in CAPD effluent are similar to those found in urine from nephrotic patients. The loss of one or more of these plasma constituents into the dialysis solution may be linked to the hypertriglyceridemia observed in these patients.

Isolation and characterization of glycosaminoglycans in human plasma

We have described methodology for the isolation and quantitation of glycosaminoglycans present in human plasma. Plasma glycosaminoglycans can be quantitatively adsorbed on a DEAE-Sephacel ion exchanger and eluted with a salt gradient as two groups: a low-charge fraction and a high-charge fraction. The low-charge fraction consists of chondroitin sulfate with a low sulfate content and the high-charge fraction consists of heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and keratan sulfate (type I). We have determined the plasma concentration of each of these glycosaminoglycans in six normal human subjects. We have established that none of the glycosaminoglycans in plasma are covalently linked to plasma proteins. All are isolated as complexes with plasma proteins in noncovalent linkages. The glycosaminoglycans in the low-charge fraction are bound with high affinity to a single plasma glycoprotein by a lectin-type bond that can be disrupted by a simple glycoside. The high-charge fraction contains three major proteins and several minor proteins associated with the glycosaminoglycans by both lectin-type and ionic bonding. The plasma proteins associated with glycosaminoglycans represent less than 0.5% of the total plasma proteins. Little is known about the physiologic role of the plasma glycosaminoglycans as components of metabolic processes. Because glycosaminoglycans have been implicated in lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, we tested all of these compounds, isolated in free form, on the in vitro hydrolysis of triglycerides by lipoprotein lipase. Plasma heparan sulfate stimulated the rate of this reaction severalfold. All other plasma glycosaminoglycans were inactive. Thus, plasma heparan sulfate may play an important role in plasma lipoprotein metabolism.

Quantitative determination of individual glycosaminoglycans in plasma by concanavalin A rocket electrophoresis

A new one-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis method for the quantitation of glycosaminoglycans in biological samples has been described. In this procedure, concanavalin A, suspended in agarose gel, interacts with glycosaminoglycans such that rocket-like precipitin lines are formed. The area of the rocket is directly proportional to the glycosaminoglycan content of the sample. This procedure permits measurement of glycosaminoglycans in amounts as low as 0.5 nmol uronic acid equivalents with a coefficient of variation of only 8%. The described method has been applied to the determination of free heparan sulfate in plasma. This method can also be used to measure all high-charge glycosaminoglycans of biological interest.

A glycosaminoglycan activator of lipoprotein lipase in human plasma

By use of ion exchange chromatography we have isolated two discrete classes of "free" glycosaminoglycans (GAG) from human plasma. The GAG fractions were tested for their effects on two lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzyme systems containing an apolipoprotein C-II activated emulsion as the triglyceride substrate and bovine serum albumin as the free fatty acid acceptor. The lowcharge GAG (Fraction I) had essentially no effect on the LPL reaction. The high-charge GAG (Fraction II) stimulated the LPL reaction 100 to 300%. The GAG composition of each fraction was investigated with chemical and enzymatic techniques. Fraction I consisted of low-charge chondroitin sulfate noncovalently bound to protein. Fraction II consisted of a mixture of high-charge GAG non-covalently bound to protein. Degradation with nitrous acid eliminated the ability of high-charge GAG to stimulate LPL. This and other evidence suggests that the high-charge GAG in human plasma responsible for LPL activation is heparan sulfate (HS). We suggest that plasma HS may modulate triglyceride clearance mechanisms in vivo by its interaction with LPL.

Characterization of glycosaminoglycans in urine from patients with nephrotic syndrome and control subjects, and their effects on lipoprotein lipase

Previously we found that alpha 2-acid glycoprotein fraction from urine of patients with the nephrotic syndrome stimulated the lipoprotein lipase reaction in vivo and in vitro. The activator was separated from the alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and identified as a glycosaminoglycan. The studies reported here were undertaken to characterize and quantify the glycosaminoglycans contained in urine of patients with the nephrotic syndrome and to compare these to the glycosaminoglycans in urine of the control subjects. We found that free low molecular weight glycosaminoglycans, heparan sulfate and chondroitin 4-sulfate, are excreted in both patients with the nephrotic syndrome and controls however, patients with the nephrotic syndrome excreted much less of both glycosaminoglycans. The free form of heparan sulfate was found to be the activator which stimulated the lipoprotein lipase reaction in vitro in the presence of apolipoprotein CII. In addition, the urine from patients with the nephrotic syndrome contained a protein-glycosaminoglycan complex which was absent in control urine. Glycosaminoglycans in the complex could be released by papain digestion or by trichloroacetic acid. Our evidence indicates that this glycosaminoglycans fraction is a law charge form of chondroitin sulfate.

Rapid tubulin synthesis during ciliated cell differentiation

Using pulse-chase conditions in culture we have investigated the incorporation of 3H-leucine into tubulin of isolated oviducts from 5 day-old mice. Label appears in soluble, particulate and axonemal fractions minutes after incubation. In the latter two fractions, but not in the soluble fraction, this label is rapidly diluted under chase conditions. The data do not fit a simple model of sequential transfer of radioactively labeled, newly synthesized tubulin from a soluble fraction through centriole precursors to assembled ciliary axonemes.

Microtubule protein during ciliogenesis in the mouse oviduct

A colchicine-binding assay and quantitative sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis have been used to determine the changes which occur in microtubule protein (tubulin) concentrations in the particulate and soluble fractions of mouse oviduct homogenates during that period of development when centriole formation and cilium formation are at a maximum. When mouse oviducts, at various ages after birth, are homogenized in Tris-sucrose buffer, tubulin concentration is partitioned between the soluble (70%) and particulate (30%) fractions. During the period of most active organelle formation (3-12 days), there is a marked increase in colchicine-binding specific activity, in both the soluble and particulate fractions. Microtubule protein concentration increases from 16 to 24% in the soluble fraction, declining to 14% in the adult. In the particulate fractions, microtubule protein concentration increases from 16 to 27%, leveling off at 16% in the adult. We have concluded from these observations and from electron microscopy that colchicine-binding activity in the particulate fractions is related to the presence of centriole precursors in the pellets of homogenized oviducts from newborn mice. These data further suggest that centriole precursor structures are conveniently packaged aggregates of microtubule protein actively synthesized between 3 and 5 days, and maintained at a maximum during the most active period of organelle assembly.