Monounsaturated fatty acyl-coenzyme A is predictive of atherosclerosis in human apoB-100 transgenic, LDLr-/- mice

Sterol O-Acyltransferase 2-Driven Cholesterol Esterification Opposes Liver X Receptor-Stimulated Fecal Neutral Sterol Loss

Statin drugs have proven a successful and relatively safe therapy for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, even with the substantial low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol lowering achieved with statin treatment, CVD remains the top cause of death in developed countries. Selective inhibitors of the cholesterol esterifying enzyme sterol-O acyltransferase 2 (SOAT2) hold great promise as effective CVD therapeutics. In mouse models, previous work has demonstrated that either antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) or small molecule inhibitors of SOAT2 can effectively reduce CVD progression, and even promote regression of established CVD. Although it is well known that SOAT2-driven cholesterol esterification can alter both the packaging and retention of atherogenic apoB-containing lipoproteins, here we set out to determine whether SOAT2-driven cholesterol esterification can also impact basal and liver X receptor (LXR)-stimulated fecal neutral sterol loss. These studies demonstrate that SOAT2 is a negative regulator of LXR-stimulated fecal neutral sterol loss in mice.

Botanical oils enriched in n-6 and n-3 FADS2 products are equally effective in preventing atherosclerosis and fatty liver

Echium oil (EO), which is enriched in 18:4 n-3, the immediate product of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) desaturation of 18:3 n-3, is as atheroprotective as fish oil (FO). The objective of this study was to determine whether botanical oils enriched in the FADS2 products 18:3 n-6 versus 18:4 n-3 are equally atheroprotective. LDL receptor KO mice were fed one of four atherogenic diets containing 0.2% cholesterol and 10% calories as palm oil (PO) plus 10% calories as: 1) PO; 2) borage oil (BO; 18:3 n-6 enriched); 3) EO (18:4 n-3 enriched); or 4) FO for 16 weeks. Mice fed BO, EO, and FO versus PO had significantly lower plasma total and VLDL cholesterol concentrations; hepatic neutral lipid content and inflammation, aortic CE content, aortic root intimal area and macrophage content; and peritoneal macrophage inflammation, CE content, and ex vivo chemotaxis. Atheromas lacked oxidized CEs despite abundant generation of macrophage 12/15 lipooxygenase-derived metabolites. We conclude that botanical oils enriched in 18:3 n-6 and 18:4 n-3 PUFAs beyond the rate-limiting FADS2 enzyme are equally effective in preventing atherosclerosis and hepatosteatosis compared with saturated/monounsaturated fat due to cellular enrichment of ≥20 PUFAs, reduced plasma VLDL, and attenuated macrophage inflammation.

Loss of β-carotene 15,15'-oxygenase in developing mouse tissues alters esterification of retinol, cholesterol and diacylglycerols

We provide novel insights into the function(s) of β-carotene-15,15'-oxygenase (CMOI) during embryogenesis. By performing in vivo and in vitro experiments, we showed that CMOI influences not only lecithin:retinol acyltransferase but also acyl CoA:retinol acyltransferase reaction in the developing tissues at mid-gestation. In addition, LC/MS lipidomics analysis of the CMOI-/- embryos showed reduced levels of four phosphatidylcholine and three phosphatidylethanolamine acyl chain species, and of eight triacylglycerol species with four or more unsaturations and fifty-two or more carbons in the acyl chains. Cholesteryl esters of arachidonate, palmitate, linoleate, and DHA were also reduced to less than 30% of control. Analysis of the fatty acyl CoA species ruled out a loss in fatty acyl CoA synthetase capability. Comparison of acyl species suggested significantly decreased 18:2, 18:3, 20:1, 20:4, or 22:6 acyl chains within the above lipids in CMOI-null embryos. Furthermore, LCAT, ACAT1 and DGAT2 mRNA levels were also downregulated in CMOI-/- embryos. These data strongly support the notion that, in addition to cleaving β-carotene to generate retinoids, CMOI serves an additional function(s) in retinoid and lipid metabolism and point to its role in the formation of specific lipids, possibly for use in nervous system tissue.

Modulation of the murine microbiome with a concomitant anti-obesity effect by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus sakei NR28

The microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) constitutes the major part of the total human microbiome and is considered to be an important regulator of human health and host metabolism. Numerous investigations in recent years have focused on the connection between the human microbiota and metabolic diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes and atherosclerosis. Yet, little is known about the impact of probiotic consumption on the GIT microbial population and the potential effect on chronic diseases. In this study, the modulation of the microbial community in the murine small intestine resulting from probiotic feeding was investigated and was found to be associated with an anti-obesity effect. Changes in the microbiota of the mouse faeces and small intestine were monitored using quantitative real-time PCR and by following the mRNA expression levels of various obesity-related biomarkers following probiotic feeding in a mouse model. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus sakei NR28 (a putative probiotic strain isolated from kimchi) were administered at a daily level of approximately 1×10(8) viable bacteria per mouse (C57BL/6J mice) for up to three weeks. Feeding these strains resulted in a significant reduction of epididymal fat mass, as well as obesity-related biomarkers like acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 in the liver. The total number and ratio of the microbial groups, i.e. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Clostridium cluster I and XIVab, and Lactobacillus spp. were modulated in the small intestine, and the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio was decreased. In contrast, no noticeable effect of probiotic feeding could be detected on the faecal microbiota, neither quantitatively, nor with regard to the bacterial groups (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Clostridium cluster I and XIVab, and Lactobacillus spp.) studied.

Dietary monounsaturated fatty acids appear not to provide cardioprotection

Dietary interventions have been consistently proposed as a part of a comprehensive strategy to lower the incidence and severity of coronary heart disease (CHD), in the process providing long-term cardioprotection. Replacement of dietary saturated fatty acids (SFA) with higher intakes of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been reported to be inversely associated with risk of CHD. The observed lower incidence of CHD among populations consuming a Mediterranean-type diet, mainly enriched in MUFA from olive oil, has long supported the belief that MUFA are an optimal substitution for SFA. However, both epidemiologic and interventional studies suggest that although substituting MUFA-rich foods for SFA-rich foods in the diet can potentially lower total plasma cholesterol concentrations, this substitution does not lower the extent of coronary artery atherosclerosis. In addition, although recent evidence suggests that the source of MUFA (animal fat vs vegetable oils) may differentially influence the correlation between MUFA intake and CHD mortality, animal studies suggest that neither source is cardioprotective.

Impact of dietary fat type within the context of altered cholesterol homeostasis on cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism in the F1B hamster

Cholesterol status and dietary fat alter several metabolic pathways reflected in lipoprotein profiles. To assess plasma lipoprotein response and mechanisms by which cholesterol and dietary fat type regulate expression of genes involved in lipoprotein metabolism, we developed an experimental model system using F1B hamsters fed diets (12 weeks) enriched in 10% (wt/wt) coconut, olive, or safflower oil with either high cholesterol (0.1%; cholesterol supplemented) or low cholesterol coupled with cholesterol-lowering drugs 10 days before killing (0.01% cholesterol, 0.15% lovastatin, 2% cholestyramine; cholesterol depleted). Irrespective of dietary fat, cholesterol depletion, relative to supplementation, resulted in lower plasma non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) and HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations (all Ps < .05). In the liver, these differences were associated with higher sterol regulatory element binding protein-2, low-density lipoprotein receptor, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, and 7α-hydroxylase messenger RNA (mRNA) levels; higher scavenger receptor B1 and apolipoprotein A-I mRNA and protein levels; lower apolipoprotein E protein levels; and in intestine, modestly lower sterol transporters adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) A1, ABCG5, and ABCG8 mRNA levels. Irrespective of cholesterol status, coconut oil, relative to olive and safflower oils, resulted in higher non-HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (both Ps < .05) and modestly higher sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 mRNA levels. These data suggest that, in F1B hamsters, differences in plasma lipoprotein profiles in response to cholesterol depletion are associated with changes in the expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism, whereas the effect of dietary fat type on gene expression was modest, which limits the usefulness of the experimental animal model.

Dietary n-3 LCPUFA from fish oil but not alpha-linolenic acid-derived LCPUFA confers atheroprotection in mice

The atheroprotective potential of n-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) has not yet been fully determined, even in murine models of atherosclerosis. We tested whether ALA-derived, n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) could offer atheroprotection in a dose-dependent manner. Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)100/100LDLr-/- mice were fed with diets containing two levels of ALA from flaxseed oil for 16 weeks. Fish oil- and cis-monounsaturated-fat-enriched diets were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The mice fed cis-monounsaturated fat and ALA-enriched diets exhibited equivalent plasma total cholesterol (TPC) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) levels; only mice fed the fish-oil diet had lower TPC and LDL-c concentrations. Plasma LDL-CE fatty acid composition analysis showed that ALA-enriched diets lowered the percentage of atherogenic cholesteryl oleate compared with cis-monounsaturated-fat diet (44% versus 55.6%) but not as efficiently as the fish-oil diet (32.4%). Although both ALA and fish-oil diets equally enriched hepatic phospholipids with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and ALA-enriched diets lowered hepatic cholesteryl ester (CE) levels compared with cis-monounsaturated-fat diet, only fish oil strongly protected from atherosclerosis. These outcomes indicate that dietary n-3 LCPUFA from fish oil and n-3 LCPUFA (mostly EPA) synthesized endogenously from ALA were not equally atheroprotective in these mice.

Hepatic acyl-coenzyme a:cholesterol acyltransferase-2 expression is decreased in mice with hyperhomocysteinemia

Alterations in lipid metabolism may contribute to the pathology of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). Our objective in this study was to test the hypothesis that HHcy is associated with changes in liver acyl CoA:cholesterol acyl transferase 2 (ACAT2) expression and cholesteryl esters (CE) in mice with HHcy. ACAT2 is encoded by Soat2 and functions to catalyze the esterification of cholesterol with acyl-CoA. Mice heterozygous for disruption of the cystathionine-beta-synthase gene (Cbs +/-) and C57BL/6 mice (Cbs +/+) were fed a control diet or a diet high in l-methionine (8.60 g/kg) and low in folic acid (0.20 mg/kg) to induce HHcy (HH diet). Lower Soat2 mRNA (P < 0.05) and ACAT protein (P < 0.001), higher total oleic acid [18:1(n-9)], and lower CE 18:1(n-9) was found in liver from Cbs +/- mice fed the HH diet, with higher plasma total homocysteine concentrations, than Cbs +/+ mice fed the control diet (35.01 +/- 5.6 vs. 2.21 +/- 0.6 mumol/L, respectively). In silico searches identified a CpG-rich region in the 5' portion of the Soat2 gene, which was differentially methylated (P < 0.05) in Cbs +/- mice fed the HH diet than in Cbs +/+ mice fed the control diet and was accompanied by higher (P < 0.05) B1 repeat element methylation, an indicator of global de novo methylation. These findings show altered methylation and expression of Soat2/ACAT2 in liver from mice with HHcy and suggest a role for changes in liver CE in the pathology of HHcy.

LDL cholesteryl oleate as a predictor for atherosclerosis: evidence from human and animal studies on dietary fat

This review focuses on the relationships among dietary fat type, plasma and liver lipid, and lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids are beneficial for the prevention of coronary artery atherosclerosis. By contrast, dietary monounsaturated fatty acids appear to alter hepatic lipoprotein metabolism, promote cholesteryl oleate accumulation, and confer atherogenic properties to lipoproteins as shown in data from experimental animal studies. Polyunsaturated fat appears to provide atheroprotection, at least in part, because it limits the accumulation of cholesteryl oleate in favor of cholesteryl linoleate in plasma lipoproteins.

Role of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase in regulating lipid metabolism

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 is a delta-9 fatty acid desaturase that catalyzes the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids and has emerged as a key regulator of metabolism. This review evaluates the latest advances in our understanding of the pivotal role of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 in health and disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Scd1-deficient mice have reduced lipid synthesis and enhanced lipid oxidation, thermogenesis and insulin sensitivity in various tissues including liver, muscle and adipose tissue due to transcriptional and posttranscriptional effects. These metabolic changes protect Scd1-deficient mice from a variety of dietary, pharmacological and genetic conditions that promote obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis. Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 is required to guard against dietary unsaturated fat deficiency, leptin deficiency-induced diabetes, and palmitate-induced lipotoxic insults in muscle and pancreatic beta-cells. Paradoxical observations of increased muscle stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 during obesity, starvation and exercise raise questions as to the role of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 in this tissue. Mice with a liver-specific loss of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1, and inhibition of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 via antisense or RNA interference, recapitulate only a subset of the phenotypes observed in global Scd1 deficiency, indicating the involvement of multiple tissues.

SUMMARY

Recent studies in humans and animal models have highlighted that modulation of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 activity by dietary intervention or genetic manipulation strongly influences several facets of energy metabolism to affect susceptibility to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

Quantitation of fatty acyl-coenzyme As in mammalian cells by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Fatty acyl-CoAs participate in numerous cellular processes. This article describes a method for the quantitation of subpicomole amounts of long-chain and very-long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs by reverse-phase LC combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in positive ion mode with odd-chain-length fatty acyl-CoAs as internal standards. This method is applicable to a wide range of species [at least myristoyl- (C14:0-) to cerotoyl- (C26:0-) CoA] in modest numbers of cells in culture ( approximately 10(6)-10(7)), with analyses of RAW264.7 cells and MCF7 cells given as examples. Analysis of these cells revealed large differences in fatty acyl-CoA amounts (12 +/- 1.0 pmol/10(6) RAW264.7 cells vs. 80.4 +/- 6.1 pmol/10(6) MCF7 cells) and subspecies distribution. Very-long-chain fatty acyl-CoAs with alkyl chain lengths > C20 constitute <10% of the total fatty acyl-CoAs of RAW264.7 cells versus >50% for MCF7 cells, which somewhat astonishingly contain approximately as much C24:0- and C26:0-CoAs as C16:0- and C18:0-CoAs and essentially equal amounts of C26:1- and C18:1-CoAs. This simple and robust method should facilitate the inclusion of this family of compounds in "lipidomics" and "metabolomics" studies.

Monounsaturated fatty acids and atherosclerosis: opposing views from epidemiology and experimental animal models

A substantial body of epidemiologic data has shed light on the potential protective effects of the Mediterranean diet against atherosclerosis in humans. Many believe the reason the Mediterranean diet is atheroprotective is the elevated consumption of olive oil, an oil poor in saturated fatty acids (SFA) and highly enriched in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Based on human feeding studies, the American Heart Association and the US Food and Drug Administration have advocated for the consumption of MUFA as a more healthy replacement for SFA. However, using experimental animal models in which extent of atherosclerosis can be directly measured following dietary intervention, it has been demonstrated that MUFA-enriched diets are not atheroprotective when compared with SFA-enriched diets. Hence, the current body of experimental evidence refutes the idea that MUFAs per se are atheroprotective; therefore much additional work is needed to determine which aspects of the Mediterranean diet are indeed heart healthy.