The antioxidant properties of high-density lipoproteins in atherosclerosis

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is protective against atherosclerosis development. Other than its central role in reverse cholesterol transport, HDL exhibits several other mechanisms by which it is protective. These include antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptopic activities and the normalisation of vascular function. In light of the current view that oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is essential for the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, the antioxidative properties of HDL may be an important protective mechanism. HDL can retard the oxidation of LDL and limit its atherogenicity. Several proteins are present on HDL and the evidence that some of them metabolise lipid peroxidation products of phospholipids, cholesteryl esters and triglycerides associated with LDL and vascular cell membranes are discussed in this review.

Glycation of paraoxonase-1 inhibits its activity and impairs the ability of high-density lipoprotein to metabolize membrane lipid hydroperoxides

AIMS

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) protects against atherosclerosis development. Defective functioning of HDL in Type 2 diabetes may be one cause of increased cardiovascular disease associated with Type 2 diabetes. HDL modulates low-density lipoprotein and cell membrane oxidation through the action of paraoxonase-1 (PON1), which is one of the major mechanisms by which HDL is anti-atherogenic.

METHODS

We have compared the ability of HDL from Type 2 diabetic patients without coronary heart disease (CHD) (n = 36) to metabolize membrane lipid hydroperoxides with HDL from healthy control subjects (n = 19) and people with CHD but no diabetes (n = 37).

RESULTS

HDL from subjects with Type 2 diabetes and CHD metabolized 20% less membrane hydroperoxides than HDL from control subjects (P < 0.05). The PON1-192RR was least efficient in all the study groups. PON1 was glycated in vivo: (7.5% control, 12% CHD, 17% Type 2 diabetes P < 0.01) with QQ isoforms most glycated. In vitro glycation of PON1 reduced its ability to metabolize membrane hydroperoxides by 50% (P < 0.001); however, glyoxidation reduced it by 80% (P < 0.001). In the control group only there was a significant negative correlation between PON1 activity and the ability of HDL to metabolize membrane hydroperoxides (r = -0.911, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HDL from Type 2 diabetic patients without CHD has decreased ability to metabolize membrane lipid hydroperoxides, which could lead to increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.

GST CYP and PON1 polymorphisms in farmers attributing ill health to organophosphate-containing sheep dip

Previously we reported that in sheep dippers exposed to organophosphates the frequency of paraoxonase (PON1) polymorphisms differed between those with or without self-reported ill health. We have now examined whether polymorphisms in other genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism alter disease risk in this population. There were elevated but non-significant risks associated with the CYP2D6 WT genotype (odds ratio (OR) 1.47, 95% CI 0.83-2.60), or a GSTP1*B or *C allele (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.88-2.01) or being GSTM1*2/GSTT1*2 homozygous (OR 1.61, 95% CI 0.74-3.48). Similar results were generally obtained after the exclusion of subjects to obtain a more homogenous case-referent population: for double null GSTM1 and GSTT1 homozygotes the OR was 2.06 (95% CI 0.85-2.04). In those also likely to have been exposed to diazinon, risks associated with a GSTP1*B or *C allele (OR 1.82, 95% CI 0.92-3.63) or a GSTM1*2/GSTT1*2 homozygous (OR 2.60, 95% CI 0.72-10.42) were elevated but not to a significant extent. Risk associated with PON1 genotype and phenotype varied with CYP2D6 and GSTP1 genotype but not consistently with a priori hypotheses. Further work is necessary to delineate more clearly pathways of organophosphate activation and non-PON1 pathways of detoxification and to confirm whether CYP and GST polymorphisms alter disease risk in populations exposed to organophosphates.

The correlation of homocysteine-thiolactonase activity of the paraoxonase (PON1) protein with coronary heart disease status

Homocysteine (Hcy)-thiolactonase (HTase) activity of the paraoxonase-1 (PON1) protein detoxifies Hcythiolactone in human blood and could thus delay the development of atherosclerosis. We investigated a hypothesis that HTase activity is associated with coronary heart disease. We studied HTase activities and PON1 genotypes in a group of 475 subjects, 42.5% of whom were healthy and 57.5% had coronary heart disease (CHD). We found that HTase activity was positively correlated with total cholesterol (r=0.254, P<0.0001), LDL cholesterol (0.149, P=0.016), ApoB (r=0.167, P=0.006), ApoA1 (0.140, P=0.023), and HDL cholesterol (0.184, P=0.002) in a group of CHD cases (n=270) but not in controls (n=202). Mean HTase activity was significantly higher in CHD cases than in controls (4.57 units vs. 3.30 units, P <10(-5)). The frequencies of the PON1-192 genotypes in CHD cases were similar to those in controls. HTase activity was not different between patients receiving statins and those not treated with statins. Multiple regression analysis shows that CHD status, PON1 genotype, and total cholesterol are determinants of HTase activity in humans. Our results suggest that HTase activity of the PON 1 protein is a predictor of CHD.

Paraoxonase polymorphisms and self-reported chronic ill-health in farmers dipping sheep

BACKGROUND

Serum paraoxonase (PON1) provides protection against organophosphate induced toxicity. Recently we reported that the frequency of paraoxonase polymorphisms in sheep dippers with self-reported chronic ill-health differed from that in dippers with a similar dipping history but no ill-health. As these analyses may have included subjects with conditions unrelated to organophosphate exposure, the aim of this study was to examine whether the risk associated with PON1 polymorphisms varied using a more homogenous case and referent population.

METHODS

Each subject completed a detailed symptom questionnaire and their general practitioner was asked whether there was any history of neurological disease that could be confused with the effects of organophosphate poisoning. Subjects were then excluded both on clinical grounds and where identified as atypical on discriminant analysis.

RESULTS

Risk associated with the PON1 192 and 55 genotypes altered little with these changes in the population.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that organophosphates contribute to the self-reported ill-health of sheep dippers.

The paraoxonase-2-310 polymorphism is associated with the presence of microvascular complications in diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the paraoxonase-2 (PON 2)-C/S 310 polymorphism and its relationship to the presence of diabetic complications and glycaemic control.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

SETTING

One study centre at University hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The subjects were people with type 2 diabetes (n=252), type 1 diabetes (n=152) and healthy controls (n=282). The PON 2-C/S 310 polymorphism was measured by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Lipids and lipoproteins were measured by standard clinical chemistry methods. Diabetes and diabetic complications were defined by World Health Organization criteria.

RESULTS

There was an over-representation of the C/C 310 genotype in those with diabetes and microvascular complications (type 2 diabetes P=0.043, type 1 diabetes P=0.052, both populations combined P=0.014). The PON 2-C/S 310 polymorphism was also associated with glycaemic control. C 310/C 310 homozygotes had the highest HbA(1c) concentration (P=0.020 type 2 diabetes, P=0.065 type 1 diabetes, P=0.035 both populations combined). There was no association between the PON 2-310 polymorphism and lipid and lipoprotein concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

PON 2 could be directly involved in protecting critical enzymes or organelles against oxidative damage; PON2 may thus predispose to the development of microvascular complications.

Effect of organophosphate intoxication on human serum paraoxonase

Recently, interindividual variations in serum paraoxonase (PON1) activity and the differences in its metabolic activity towards different organophosphates (OPs) caused by the coding region polymorphisms L55M and Q192R have been found to be important risk factors in susceptibility to OP poisoning. In this study, we investigated the effect of PON1 on the outcome of acute OP intoxication and the effect of acute OP intoxication on PON1. Twenty-eight OP-poisoned patients and 66 healthy volunteers were studied. Patients were evaluated for the clinical manifestations of OP intoxication as well as PON1 activity, PON1 mass and PON1 polymorphisms. Butyrylcholine-esterase (BChE) activity was 50% lower (2,276 +/- 738 U/L versus 5,037 +/- 1,553 U/L, P<0.01) while PON1 activity was 30% lower [114.2 +/- 67.4 nmol/mL/min versus 152.9 +/- 78.9 nmol/mL/ min, P<0.05) in patients than in controls. We observed that the PON1 and BChE activities of eight of the original subjects returned to normal levels when they were reinvestigated six months after exposure. The frequency of the PON192Q allele was significantly higher in patients than controls (85.7% versus 59.7%, chi2=6.745, P=0.034). QQ/ MM individuals had the lowest activity towards paraoxon, while RR/LL individuals had the highest activity. Our data indicate that interindividual differences in PON1 activity and the PON1-55 and -192 polymorphisms are important risk factors in susceptibility to acute OP poisoning; therefore, identifying an individual's PON1 alloenzymes may play an important role in the treatment of patients suffering from OP intoxication.

Serum paraoxonase activity in patients with type 1 diabetes compared to healthy controls

BACKGROUND

The oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is central to current theories on the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Type 1 diabetes is associated with an increase in oxidative stress, which may be responsible for the increased susceptibility to coronary heart disease seen in type 1 diabetes. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) associated paraoxonase (PON1) can retard the oxidation of LDL.

DESIGN

Paraoxonase activity, concentration and genotype were therefore investigated in 152 people with type 1 diabetes and 282 healthy controls. These parameters were also investigated in the group with type 1 diabetes in relation to the presence of diabetic complications.

RESULTS

Both PON1 activity and concentration were significantly lower by 16.7% and 19.2% (both P < 0.05) in the type 1 diabetes group. These differences were independent of the PON1 coding region polymorphisms. The distribution of PON1 activity and mass were the same in both populations, i.e. for the PON1-192 polymorphism RR > RQ > QQ and for the PON1-55 polymorphism LL > LM > MM. There were no differences in either the PON1 polymorphisms, PON1 activity and concentration in people with type 1 diabetes in the presence or absence of micro and macro vascular complications of diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Low PON1 activity may contribute to the increased atherosclerosis found in type 1 diabetes by reducing the ability of HDL to retard LDL oxidation despite the frequently-found increased HDL in type 1 diabetes when good glycaemic control is established.

Paraoxonase status in coronary heart disease: are activity and concentration more important than genotype?

Human serum paraoxonase (PON1) hydrolyzes oxidized lipids in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and could therefore retard the development of atherosclerosis. In keeping with this hypothesis, several case-control studies have shown a relationship between the presence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and polymorphisms at amino acid positions 55 and 192 of PON1, which we associated with a decreased capacity of PON1 to protect LDL against the accumulation of lipid peroxides, but some other studies have not. However, the PON1 polymorphisms are only 1 factor in determining the activity and concentration of the enzyme. Only 3 of the previous 18 studies directly determined PON1 activity and concentration. Therefore, we studied PON1 activity, concentration, and gene distribution in 417 subjects with angiographically proven CHD and in 282 control subjects. We found that PON1 activity and concentration were significantly lower in subjects with CHD than in control subjects (activity to paraoxon 122.8 [3.3 to 802.8] versus 214.6 [26.3 to 620.8] nmol. min(-1). mL(-1), P<0.001; concentration 71.6 [11.4 to 489.3] versus 89.1 [16.8 to 527.4] microg/mL, P<0.001). There were no differences in the PON1-55 and -192 polymorphisms or clusterin concentration between patients with CHD and control subjects. These results indicate that lower PON1 activity and concentration and, therefore, the reduced ability to prevent LDL lipid peroxidation may be more important in determining the presence of CHD than paraoxonase genetic polymorphisms.

Paraoxonase and atherosclerosis

There is considerable evidence that the antioxidant activity of high density lipoprotein (HDL) is largely due to the paraoxonase-1 (PON1) located on it. Experiments with transgenic PON1 knockout mice indicate the potential for PON1 to protect against atherogenesis. This protective effect of HDL against low density lipoprotein (LDL) lipid peroxidation is maintained longer than is the protective effect of antioxidant vitamins and could thus be more important. There is evidence that the genetic polymorphisms of PON1 least able to protect LDL against lipid peroxidation are overrepresented in coronary heart disease, particularly in association with diabetes. However, these polymorphisms explain only part of the variation in serum PON1 activity; thus, a more critical test of the hypothesis is likely to be whether low serum PON1 activity is associated with coronary heart disease. Preliminary case-control evidence suggests that this is indeed the case and, thus, that the quest for dietary and pharmacological means of modifying serum PON1 activity may allow the oxidant model of atherosclerosis to be tested in clinical trials.

Hydrolysis of platelet-activating factor by human serum paraoxonase

Human serum paraoxonase (human PON1) has been shown to be important in the metabolism of phospholipid and cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides, thereby preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and retarding atherogenesis. However, the exact substrate specificity of PON1 has not been established. In the present study we show that purified PON1 hydrolyses platelet-activating factor (PAF). We could find no evidence for contamination of our preparation with authentic platelet-activating-factor acetylhydrolase (PAFAH) by immunoblotting with a PAFAH monoclonal antibody or by sequencing the purified protein. In addition the specific PAFAH inhibitor SB-222657 did not affect the ability of PON1 to hydrolyse PAF (30.1+/-2.8 micromol/min per mg of protein with no inhibitor; 31.4+/-2.2 micromol/min per mg of protein with 100 nM inhibitor) or phenyl acetate (242.6+/-30.8 versus 240.8+/-31.5 micromol/min per mg of protein with and without inhibitor respectively). SB-222657 was also unable to inhibit PAF hydrolysis by isolated human high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but completely abolished the activity of human LDL. Ostrich (Struthio camelus) HDL, which does not contain PON1, was unable to hydrolyse PAF. These data provide evidence that PON1 may limit the action of this bioactive pro-inflammatory phospholipid.

Low paraoxonase in Persian Gulf War Veterans self-reporting Gulf War Syndrome

Exposure to organophosphate (OP's) insecticides and nerve gases during the Persian Gulf War has been implicated in the development of Gulf War Syndrome. Paraoxonase (PON1) present in human serum detoxifies OP's. We determined the levels of PON1 in the serum of Gulf War Veterans and compared these to those found in a control population. One hundred fifty-two Gulf War Veterans from the UK who self-reported the presence of Gulf War Syndrome via a questionnaire and 152 age and gender matched controls were studied. PON1 activity, concentration, and genotype were determined. In the Gulf War Veterans, paraoxon hydrolysis was less than 50% of that found in the controls (100.3 (14.8-233.8) vs 214.6 (50.3-516.2) nmol/min/ml, P < 0.001). This low activity was independent of the effect of PON1 genotype. The serum PON1 concentration was also lower in the Gulf War Veterans (75.7 (18.1-351.3) vs 88.2 (34.5-527.4) microg/ml, P < 0.00025), which was again independent of PON1 genotype. There was no difference in the rate of diazoxon hydrolysis between the groups (10. 2 +/- 4.1 micromol/min/ml vs 9.86 +/- 4.4, P = NS). A decreased capacity to detoxify OP insecticides resulting from low serum PON1 activity may have contributed to the development of Gulf War Syndrome.

How high-density lipoprotein protects against the effects of lipid peroxidation

The protective effect of HDL against the development of atherosclerosis appears to be multifaceted involving a number of mechanisms. One of the major mechanisms is, however, the ability of HDL to decrease, directly or indirectly, the lipid peroxidation of LDL. The hydrolysis of lipid peroxides by PON1 makes a major contribution to this effect of HDL. Evidence is accumulating that the PON1 activity of human serum can be modulated by a variety of natural compounds and that these may increase or decrease the protective ability of PON1 and therefore of HDL on which it is exclusively located. Modulations of PON1 that enhance its activity may help to delay the atherosclerotic process.

Paraoxonase activity is reduced by a pro-atherosclerotic diet in rabbits

Serum paraoxonase (PON1) is believed to protect against the development of atherosclerosis because of its ability to retard the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by hydrolysing LDL-associated phospholipid and cholesteryl-ester hydroperoxides. We have examined the relationship between PON1 and atherosclerosis development in transgenic rabbits overexpressing human apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and nontransgenic littermates fed a pro-atherogenic diet. PON1 activity was higher in transgenic (4006.1 +/- 716.7 nmol/min/ml) compared to control (3078.5 +/- 623.3 nmol/min/ml) rabbits (P < 0.01) while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was 1.84 +/- 0.54 mmol/L in transgenic rabbits and 0.57 +/- 0.21 mmol/L in control rabbits (P = 0.0001). After feeding rabbits a high-cholesterol diet for 14 weeks HDL-cholesterol fell by 70% in both transgenic and control rabbits (P < 0.001 compared to week 0) PON1 activity fell by 50% in both groups of rabbits (P < 0. 01 compared to week 0). The amount of thoracic aortic surface area covered by lesions was 29 +/- 16% in the control group and 26 +/- 15% in the transgenic group (P = NS). A pro-atherosclerotic diet reduces PON1 which may exaggerate the effects of the diet on the development of atherosclerosis.

Low paraoxonase activity in type II diabetes mellitus complicated by retinopathy

Human serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is located on high-density lipoprotein and has been implicated in the detoxification of organophosphates, and possibly in the prevention of lipid peroxidation of low-density lipoprotein. PON1 has two genetic polymorphisms, both due to amino acid substitutions: one involving glutamine (Q genotype) and arginine (R genotype) at position 192, and the other involving leucine (L genotype) and methionine (M genotype) at position 55. We investigated the effects of these polymorphisms, and of a polymorphism of the PON2 gene at position 310 (Cys/Ser; C and S genotypes respectively), on serum PON1 activity and concentration, plasma lipids and lipoproteins and glycaemic control in 93 individuals with type II diabetes with no complications and in 101 individuals with type II diabetes with retinopathy. Serum PON1 activity in the group with no complications [median 164.1 nmol.min(-1).ml(-1) (range 8.0-467.8)] was significantly higher than in the group with retinopathy [113.4 nmol. min(-1).ml(-1) (3.0-414.6)] (P<0.001), but the serum PON1 concentration was not different between the groups. The gene frequencies of the PON1-55 and PON1-192 polymorphisms and of the PON2-310 polymorphism were not different between the study populations. The PON1-55 and PON1-192 polymorphisms affected PON1 activity in the way described in a previous study of a control group and subjects with type II diabetes. The PON2-310 polymorphism also significantly affected serum PON1. PON1 activity was significantly higher in individuals with the PON2-310 CC genotype in both groups with type II diabetes, and the PON1 concentration was significantly higher in PON2-310 CC homozygotes with no complications than in the group with retinopathy. Neither the PON1-55 nor the PON1-192 polymorphism was correlated with the serum lipid or lipoprotein concentration in either group. In the group with retinopathy (but not the group with no complications), all three PON polymorphisms were correlated with glycaemic control, which was worse for the PON1-55 genotypes in the order MM>LM>LL (P=0.0032), for the PON1-192 genotypes in the order RR>QR>QQ (P=0.011) and for the PON2-310 genotypes in the order CC>CS>SS (P=0.010). Low serum PON1 activity in retinopathy may be related to an increased tendency for lipid peroxidation. Our findings thus raise the possibility that, in retinopathy, the PON2 gene may influence PON1, and that an inter-relationship between the PON1 and PON2 genes may influence glycaemic control in subjects with type II diabetes complicated by retinopathy.

Low serum paraoxonase: a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease?

Serum paraoxonase (PON1) hydrolyses organophosphate (OP) insecticides and nerve gases and is responsible for determining the selective toxicity of these compounds in mammals. PON1 has two genetic polymorphisms giving rise to amino acid substitutions at position 55 and 192. The 192 polymorphism is the major determinant of the PON1 activity polymorphism towards organophosphates. However, the 55 polymorphism also modulates activity. PON1 also may be a determinant of resistance to the development of atherosclerosis by protecting lipoproteins against oxidative modification perhaps by hydrolysing phospholipid-hydroperoxides. The PON1 polymorphisms are important in determining the capacity of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to protect low-density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidative modification in vitro and this may explain the relationship between the PON1 alleles and coronary heart disease in case-control studies.

Serum paraoxonase after myocardial infarction

HDL has been shown to prevent the oxidative modification of LDL. The antioxidant activity of HDL is believed to reside in its enzymes, particularly paraoxonase. Human serum paraoxonase (PON1) is closely associated with a specific HDL subfraction also containing apoA1 and clusterin. Recently PON1 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We have examined the activity, concentration, and specific activity of PON1 in 50 patients on admission to hospital immediately after acute myocardial infarction (MI) and in 48 age- and gender-matched controls. Serum PON1 activity and concentration were significantly lower in patients with MI than in controls (activity, 221.5 [99.3 to 303.2] nmol. min-1. mL-1 in controls and 130.1 [78.9 to 230.3] nmol. min-1. mL-1 in MI patients [P<0.05]; concentration, 95.7 [73.2 to 135.5] microg/mL in controls and 35.4 [21.6 to 51.3] microg/mL in MI patients [P<0.001]). PON1-specific activity was significantly higher in patients with MI than in controls (1.5 [0.9 to 2.9] versus 3.4 [2.0 to 8.5] nmol. min-1. microg-1 [P<0.001]) due to the much lower PON1 concentration. PON1 activity had risen significantly (P<0.05) to 158.1 (85.4 to 282.0) nmol. min-1. mL-1 at day 42 but was still significantly less than that of controls. No significant variation in PON1 concentration occured in the days after MI or at 6 weeks. Also, no significant variation in specific activity was seen after MI. When the patients were divided into subgroups based on whether or not they received thrombolytic therapy on admission to hospital, no significant difference in PON1 levels was observed. Serum HDL cholesterol in patients with MI on admission was not significantly different than in controls, and the decrease that occurred by the fifth day after MI did not explain the lower PON1 levels. We conclude that low serum PON1 activity in patients with MI may be a consequence of the coronary event itself or could have been present before MI. The low PON1 activity was also not explicable on the basis of PON1 genotypes because the prevalence of genotypes associated with low activity was not sufficient to explain fully the difference in activity levels between patients and controls. The explanation for the low PON1 activity was most likely a decrease in serum PON1 concentration. The importance of PON1 as a predictive risk factor for MI should be assessed in future studies.

The Evolutionary History and Diversity of Australian Mammals

Palaeodiversity and relationships of all groups of Australian mammals are reviewed. The fossil record spanning this time is of variable quality. &apos;Dark Ages&apos; about which nothing is known in terms of Australian mammal evolution include the late Triassic to late Jurassic, late Cretaceous to late Paleocene and middle Eocene to middle Oligocene. Very little is known about the early Cretaceous and late Miocene. The late Oligocene to middle Miocene record documents the highest levels of biodiversity known for the continent, comparable to that which characterises the lowland rainforests of Borneo and Brazil. Order Monotremata spans at least the last 110 million years and includes four families. The enigmatic Ausktribosphenos from 115 million-year-old sediments in Victoria may represent an archaic monotreme, specialised peramurid or previously undocumented order of mammals but is unlikely to represent a placental as suggested in the initial description. Order Microbiotheria is represented in the early Eocene (~55 mya) by two genera similar in morphology to early Eocene taxa from Argentina. Order Peramelemorphia spans the early Eocene to Holocene and includes at least five families. Order Dasyuromorphia spans at least the late Oligocene to Holocene and includes at least three families. Other dasyuromorphian-like marsupials are indeterminate in terms of family-level affinities. Order Notoryctemorphia spans the early Miocene to Holocene with one family. Order Yalkaparidontia spans the late Oligocene to middle Miocene with one genus. Order Diprotodontia spans the late Oligocene to Holocene, represented throughout by three major groups: Phalangerida (eight families), Vombatomorphia (seven families) and Macropodoidea (at least three families). A possible placental condylarth (Tingamarra) has been recorded from the early Eocene. An archaeonycteridid bat (Australonycteris) is known from the early Eocene. Among bats, the late Oligocene to middle Miocene is dominated by rhinolophoids, many of which have European, Asian and African affinities. Mystacinids, megadermatids, hipposiderids and molossids are well-represented in the Oligocene to Miocene deposits. Vespertilionids are uncommon in the Oligocene to Miocene but become more diverse in the Pliocene to Holocene. Emballonurids and rhinolophids appear for the first time in the Plio-Pleistocene. Pteropodids are unknown prior to the Holocene. Murids span the early Pliocene to Holocene. In the oldest assemblage at Riversleigh, one undescribed lineage resembles archaic forms otherwise only known from the fossil records of Africa and Eurasia.

Human serum paraoxonase

1. Human serum paraoxonase (PON1) is a Ca2+-dependent 45-kDa glycoprotein that is associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL). 2. PON1 hydrolyzes organophosphate (OP) insecticides and nerve gases and is responsible for determining the selective toxicity of these compounds in mammals. 3. PON1 has two genetic polymorphisms giving rise to amino acid substitutions at positions 55 and 192. The position-192 polymorphism is the major determinant of the PON1 activity polymorphism. However, the position-55 polymorphism also modulates activity. 4. Genotyping individuals for both PON1 polymorphisms may provide a method for identifying those most at risk of OP poisoning. The effect of the PON1 polymorphisms on activity may explain why some Gulf War veterans have developed Gulf War syndrome and some have not, despite similar OP exposure. 5. PON1 may also be a determinant of resistance to the development of atherosclerosis by protecting lipoproteins against oxidative modification, perhaps by hydrolyzing phospholipid hydroperoxides. 6. The PON 1 polymorphisms are important in determining the capacity of HDL to protect low density lipoprotein against oxidative modification in vitro, which may explain the relation between the PON1 alleles and coronary heart disease in case-control studies.

Paraoxonase and coronary heart disease

Paraoxonase (PON1) hydrolyses organophosphate insecticides and nerve gases and is responsible for determining the selective toxicity of these compounds in mammals. Human PON1 has two genetic polymorphisms giving rise to amino-acid substitutions at positions 55 and 192. The 192 polymorphism is the major determinant of the PON1 activity polymorphism towards organophosphates. However, the 55 polymorphism also modulates activity. Ex vivo, the PON1 polymorphisms are important in determining the capacity of HDL to protect LDL against oxidative modification in vitro and this may explain the relationship between the PON1 alleles and coronary heart disease in case-control studies. In recent case-control studies serum PON1 concentration and activity were also found to be decreased in coronary heart disease (CHD) independent of the PON1 polymorphism, and in diabetes serum PON1 specific activity decrease is also independent of the PON1 genetic polymorphism. HDL from transgenic mice lacking PON1 fails to protect LDL against oxidative modification. Thus PON1 may be a determinant of resistance to the development of atherosclerosis by protecting lipoproteins against oxidative modification, perhaps by hydrolysing phospholipid and cholesteryl-ester hydroperoxides.

Serum paraoxonase (PON1) 55 and 192 polymorphism and paraoxonase activity and concentration in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Human serum paraoxonase (PON1) is located on high density lipoprotein and has been implicated in the detoxification of organophosphates and possibly in the prevention of low density lipoprotein lipid peroxidation. PON1 has two genetic polymorphisms both due to amino acid substitution, one involving glutamine (A genotype) and arginine (B genotype) at position 192 and the other leucine (L genotype) and methionine (M genotype) at position 55. We investigated the effect of these polymorphisms on serum PON1 activity and concentration in 252 non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) individuals and 282 non-diabetic controls. Serum PON1 activity in the controls (214.6 nmol/min per ml (26.3-620.8)) was significantly higher than in NIDDM (158.7 nmol/min per ml (3.6-550.5) (P < 0.001) as was serum PON1 concentration (89.1 microg/ml (16.8-527.4)) compared to 76.7 microg/ml (3.6-443.8) (P < 0.01). In the control population MM homozygotes had significantly lower serum PON1 activity regardless of the 192 polymorphism whereas in NIDDM both LM and MM genotypes had lower serum PON1 activity than LL homozygotes only when the 192 AA genotype was present. Serum PON1 concentration was lower in NIDDM with AA/LM, AA/LL, AB/LL and AB/MM genotypes than in controls. Differences in PON1 activity were the major cause of differences in specific activity between genotypes. Neither the PON1 55 or 192 polymorphisms consistently influenced the serum lipid or lipoprotein concentrations in either population. Low serum PON1 activity in NIDDM may be related to an increased tendency to lipid peroxidation and may also increase susceptibility to toxicity from organophosphate exposure. Our findings thus raise the possibility that PON1 may be of importance in both the genetic and acquired predisposition to premature atherosclerosis and neuropathy in diabetes.

Lack of protection against oxidative modification of LDL by avian HDL

Human and murine high density lipoprotein (HDL) has previously been shown to decrease the accumulation of lipid peroxides on low density lipoprotein (LDL) under oxidising conditions. Several lines of evidence, including the ineffectiveness of HDL from paraoxonase knockout mice, suggest that paraoxonase (PON1) located on HDL is responsible for its protective effect against lipid peroxidation. In this report we compare the effect of HDL from chicken, turkey and ostrich with human HDL on lipid peroxidation of LDL. Avian serum lacked PON1 activity and PON1 immunoactivity was also absent by ELISA and Western blotting whereas all three techniques detected PON1 in a variety of non-avian species (cow, guinea-pig, rat, sheep, mouse, hamster, monkey and rabbit). Platelet activating factor acetyl hydrolase (PAFAH) activity was also absent from avian serum. Avian HDL isolated from plasma when incubated with human LDL was ineffective in preventing the Cu2+-induced accumulation of lipid peroxides on this lipoprotein whereas human HDL under the same conditions was highly effective in this respect. Avian LDL was much more resistant to oxidation than human LDL, perhaps explaining the lack of HDL-PON1 and PAFAH. We conclude that these findings provide further evidence than PON1 has an important role in the antiatherogenic/anti-inflammatory effects of HDL and that avian HDL can provide a valuable model which complements the use of HDL from paraoxonase knockout mice in the investigation of PON1 and PAFAH.

Effect of the human serum paraoxonase 55 and 192 genetic polymorphisms on the protection by high density lipoprotein against low density lipoprotein oxidative modification

Human serum paraoxonase (PON1) associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL) has been postulated to have a role in protecting low density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidative modification, which has led to the proposal that PON1 is an anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory enzyme. PON1 has two genetically determined polymorphic sites giving rise to amino-acid substitutions at positions 55 (L-->M) and 192 (R-->Q) and therefore 4 potential alloenzymes. We have examined the effects of these molecular polymorphisms on the ability of HDL to protect LDL from oxidative modification. HDL protected LDL from oxidative modification, whatever the combination of PON1 alloenzymes present in it. However, HDL from QQ/MM homozygotes was most effective at protecting LDL while HDL from RR/LL homozygotes was least effective. Thus after 6 h of co-incubation of HDL and LDL with Cu2+ PON1-QQ HDL retained 57 +/- 6.3% of its original ability to protect LDL from oxidative modification, while PON1-QR HDL retained less at 25.1 +/- 4.5% (P < 0.01) and PON1-RR HDL retained only 0.75 +/- 0.40% (P < 0.005). In similar experiments HDL from LL and LM genotypes retained 21.8 +/- 7.5% and 29.5 +/- 6.6% (P = NS), respectively, of their protective ability, whereas PON1-MM HDL maintained 49.5 +/- 5.3% (P < 0.01). PON1 polymorphisms may affect the ability of HDL to impede the development of atherosclerosis and to prevent inflammation.

Presence of paraoxonase in human interstitial fluid

Human serum paraoxonase (PON1) is postulated to have anti-atherosclerotic properties through its ability to prevent lipid peroxide generation on LDL. However, in order to perform this role it must be present in interstitial fluid, to prevent LDL oxidation which takes place in the sub-intimal space of the artery wall. The PON1 activity in interstitial fluid was 15.7 (2.3-183.0) (median (range)) nmol/min/ml compared to 105.3 (74.6-323.9) nmol/min/ml in serum. The PON1 concentration in interstitial fluid was found to be 20.2 (1.1-78.1) microg/ml (median (range)) compared to 109.6 (11.1-485.7) microg/ml in serum. Interstitial fluid PON1 concentration was dependent on the interstitial fluid apo AI concentration (r = 0.690, P < 0.005) indicating PON1 remained associated with HDL. However, the ratio of PON1 concentration to apo AI was lower in interstitial fluid (0.60 +/- 0.20) than in the serum (0.95 +/- 0.18) (P < 0.001) indicating sequestration of PON1 in the sub-intimal space. Therefore, PON1 is present and active in interstitial fluid where it can perform its anti-atherosclerotic function.

Effect of the molecular polymorphisms of human paraoxonase (PON1) on the rate of hydrolysis of paraoxon

1. The hydrolysis of organophosphate pesticides (OP) and nerve gases by serum paraoxonase (PON1) is an important factor determining their toxicity to mammals including man. The PON1 gene contains 2 polymorphic sites at amino acid positions 55 (L-->M) and 192 (G-->A, classically defined as the A and B genotypes) which result in several alloenzymes of PON1 in human serum. 2. The 192 polymorphism has previously been shown to affect PON1 activity. We have investigated the effect of both polymorphisms on the hydrolysis of paraoxon by serum from 279 healthy human subjects. 3. The 55 polymorphism significantly influenced PON1 activity. MM homozygotes had over 50% less activity towards paraoxon compared to the LL and LM genotypes regardless of the 192 genotype (P < 0.001). 4. Multiple regression analysis indicated that the 192 polymorphism, 55 polymorphism and serum PON1 concentration were responsible for 46, 16 and 13% of the variation in PON1 activity, respectively (all P < 0.001). None of the other parameters investigated significantly affected PON1 activity. 5. Therefore both PON1 polymorphisms affect the hydrolysis of paraoxon. AA/MM and AB/MM individuals may be potentially more susceptible to OP intoxication. 6. Genotyping individuals for both PON1 polymorphisms may provide a method for identifying those individuals at most risk of OP poisoning. The effect of PON1 polymorphisms on activity may also explain why some Gulf War Veterans have developed Gulf War Syndrome and some have not.

Increased immunolocalization of paraoxonase, clusterin, and apolipoprotein A-I in the human artery wall with the progression of atherosclerosis

Using immunolocalization techniques, we have shown that paraoxonase (Pon), clusterin, and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I accumulate in the artery wall during the development of atherosclerosis. In normal aortas (n = 6) there were low levels of extracellular Pon, clusterin, and apoA-I, immunoreactivity. The cytoplasm of smooth muscle cells in the media showed granular positivity for both Pon and apoA-I, indicating that these proteins were undergoing lysosomal degradation. This activity was also indicated by the presence of both intact and degradation products of Pon in smooth muscle cells as shown by Western blotting. With the progression of disease from fatty streaks (n = 3) to advanced atherosclerosis (n = 8) there was an increase in Pon, apoA-I, and clusterin immunoreactivity, indicating the increasing presence of these proteins with disease progression. These proteins are the components of a specific HDL subspecies that has been implicated in the prevention of peroxidative damage to phospholipids in LDL and membranes. The increase in Pon, clusterin, and apoA-I during the development of atherosclerosis may therefore represent a protective response to the oxidative stress associated with the development of atherosclerosis.

Paraoxonase: biochemistry, genetics and relationship to plasma lipoproteins

Human serum paraoxonase is located on an HDL. It has the capacity to retard the accumulation of lipid peroxides in LDL under oxidizing conditions in vitro. Paraoxonase has a genetic polymorphism that results in a single amino acid substitution. Evidence indicates that both the serum concentration of paraoxonase and an individual's genotype are related to plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, and possibly also to coronary heart disease, implicating paraoxonase in the development of atherosclerosis.