Low-density lipoproteins and lipoprotein lipase activity in tissues from rats bearing Walker carcinosarcoma 256

Lipid kinetic alterations in tumor-bearing rats: reversal by tumor excision

Cancer cachexia is frequently accompanied by hyperlipidemia. To identify the mechanisms underlying this alteration in lipid metabolism, free fatty acid (FFA) and very low density lipoprotein-associated triacylglycerol (VLDL-TG) kinetics were determined in tumor-bearing (subcutaneously implanted methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma) Fischer 344 rats. The animals were studied after chronic vascular catheterization, in an unanesthetized, undisturbed state, after 24 hr of fasting. They were separated into three groups: control (n = 5), tumor-bearing (n = 5, tumor burden = 10% body weight), and 7 days after tumor excision (n = 5). VLDL-TG and FFA kinetics were assessed by a constant infusion of [3H]palmitate-labeled VLDL-TG and [14C]palmitate bound to albumin, respectively. FFA rate of appearance (FFA-Ra) and clearance (FFA-Cl) and VLDL-TG rate of appearance (VLDL-TG-Ra) and clearance (VLDL-TG-Cl) were determined at steady state. We observed that the tumor-bearing rats had significantly increased FFA-Ra and VLDL-TG-Ra, decreased VLDL-CL, and maintained FFA-Cl, when compared to control. These alterations returned to normal levels after tumor excision. The results suggest that the hyperlipidemia observed in tumor-bearing rats is due to elevated lipolysis rate, maintained rate of plasma FFA clearance, increased triacylglycerol production and VLDL secretion by the liver, and decreased VLDL-TG clearance from plasma. These alterations were reversed 7 days following tumor excision.

Changes in the activities of lipoprotein lipase and the lipogenic enzymes in tumor-bearing rats

The effects of tumor growth on lipid metabolism were investigated by evaluating serum lipids, lipoprotein lipase activity (LPLA), the lipogenic enzymes, urinary catecholamines along with serum insulin and glucagon levels. We injected 1.5 X 10(6) cells of rat mammary tumor, AC33, and killed the rats on the 18th day. Serum triglycerides and free fatty acids of the tumor-bearing (TB) rats increased 4 and 5 times, respectively, more than the control (C) rats. Total liver lipids were not significantly different between the two groups. Tumor growth produced a 70% decrease in total epididymal fat pad LPLA; there were no changes in soleus muscle LPLA. Serum insulin levels of the TB rats were 49% less than the C rats. The TB rats had significantly lighter epididymal fat pads and lower activities of adipose fatty acid synthetase and citrate cleavage enzyme. Urinary catecholamines of the TB rats were reduced over 30% compared with the C rats. These results show that the hypertriglyceridemia of the TB rats may be due, in part, to a deficiency of adipose tissue LPLA. The data also suggest that the effects of the tumor on lipid metabolism may be mediated through insulin.

Characterization of a very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-associated cytotoxic factor

A VLDL-associated cytotoxic factor was isolated from sera of pregnant rats and characterized. The inhibitory effect of this factor on the macromolecular synthesis of rat prostate adenocarcinoma cells (PA-III) was also examined. VLDL (Sf 20-400) was subfractionated by differential ultracentrifugal flotation and the Sf 100-400 fraction was associated with most of the oncolytic activity. Chemical analysis of serum VLDL at various stages of pregnancy indicated that the 4 major constituents of VLDL (protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, and phospholipid), and the cytotoxic titre, were increased significantly before parturition and restored to normal levels by 24 h post partum. The delipidation of lyophilized VLDL by n-heptane suggested that the cytotoxic component was associated with the neutral lipid core of VLDL. Kinetic studies of colony inhibition and the incorporation of radioactive thymidine and leucine into 10% TCA precipitates of PA-III cells showed that VLDL induced irreparable cellular damage during the initial 15 h of incubation. The cytotoxic activity of VLDL was not due to the association with PGF2 alpha, beta-oestradiol, progesterone, 25-hydroxycholesterol, or free fatty acids (oleic, stearic, palmitic, linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids), monopalmitolein, elaidyl and alpha-linolenyl alcohol. The role of this factor in host defence against neoplasia is discussed.

Serum lipoproteins during chemical carcinogenesis

1. The serum-protein and -lipoprotein patterns of rats, given a purified diet containing 0%, 0.005% or 0.03% 2-acetamidofluorene, have been determined by disk electrophoresis. 2. An abnormal high-density lipoprotein was detected from the first week of the experiment in the serum of the animals given the carcinogen. The low-density lipoproteins also increased on prolonged feeding with the carcinogen.