Lipolysis of emulsion models of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins is altered in male patients with abdominal aorta aneurysm

Disorders of the lipid metabolism may play a role in the genesis of abdominal aorta aneurysm. The present study examined the intravascular catabolism of chylomicrons, the lipoproteins that carry the dietary lipids absorbed by the intestine in the circulation in patients with abdominal aorta aneurysm. Thirteen male patients (72 +/- 5 years) with abdominal aorta aneurysm with normal plasma lipid profile and 13 healthy male control subjects (73 +/- 5 years) participated in the study. The method of chylomicron-like emulsions was used to evaluate this metabolism. The emulsion labeled with 14C-cholesteryl oleate and (3)H-triolein was injected intravenously in both groups. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals over 60 min to determine the decay curves. The fractional clearance rate (FCR) of the radioactive labels was calculated by compartmental analysis. The FCR of the emulsion with (3)H-triolein was smaller in the aortic aneurysm patients than in controls (0.025 +/- 0.017 vs 0.039 +/- 0.019 min-1; P < 0.05), but the FCR of 14C-cholesteryl oleate of both groups did not differ. In conclusion, as indicated by the triglyceride FCR, chylomicron lipolysis is diminished in male patients with aortic aneurysm, whereas the remnant removal which is traced by the cholesteryl oleate FCR is not altered. The results suggest that defects in the chylomicron metabolism may represent a risk factor for development of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Loss of the PlagL2 transcription factor affects lacteal uptake of chylomicrons

Enterocytes assemble dietary lipids into chylomicron particles that are taken up by intestinal lacteal vessels and peripheral tissues. Although chylomicrons are known to assemble in part within membrane secretory pathways, the modifications required for efficient vascular uptake are unknown. Here we report that the transcription factor pleomorphic adenoma gene-like 2 (PlagL2) is essential for this aspect of dietary lipid metabolism. PlagL2(-/-) mice die from postnatal wasting owing to failure of fat absorption. Lipids modified in the absence of PlagL2 exit from enterocytes but fail to enter interstitial lacteal vessels. Dysregulation of enterocyte genes closely linked to intracellular membrane transport identified candidate regulators of critical steps in chylomicron assembly. PlagL2 thus regulates important aspects of dietary lipid absorption, and the PlagL2(-/-) animal model has implications for the amelioration of obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

Differential uptake of subfractions of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by THP-1 macrophages

It is well known that raised plasma triglycerides (TG) are positively linked to the development of coronary heart disease. However, triglycerides circulate in a range of distinct lipoprotein subfractions and the relative atherogenicity of these subfractions is not clear. In this study, three fractions of triglyceride rich lipoprotein (TRL) were isolated from normolipidaemic males according to their differing Svedberg flotation (S(f)) rates: chylomicron (CM, S(f)>400), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-1 (S(f) 60-400) and VLDL-2 (S(f) 20-60). These fractions were incubated with THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages for determination of cholesterol and TG accumulation, in the presence and absence of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) inhibitor orlistat. Expression of LDL receptor related protein (LRP) and apolipoprotein B48 receptor (apoB48R) was also examined in both differentiating monocytes, and monocyte-derived macrophages, incubated with TRL. VLDL-1 caused a significantly greater accumulation of TG within macrophages compared to VLDL-2. Binding studies also tended to show a greater preference for VLDL-1. No change in expression of LRP or apoB48R was observed in fully differentiated macrophages incubated with VLDL-1, VLDL-2 or CM, although a greater expression of LRP mRNA was observed in differentiating monocytes exposed to VLDL-1, compared to those incubated with CM or VLDL-2. TG loading in response to all three TRL fractions was blocked by orlistat, suggesting that it is likely that the major pathway for uptake of TG was hydrolysis by LPL. Calculations suggested that direct uptake of particles accounts for between 12 and 25% of total TAG uptake. In conclusion, THP monocyte-derived macrophages demonstrate a preference for VLDL-1, both through the LPL pathway and by direct uptake of whole particles.

Metabolism of chylomicrons in patients with congenital lipoatrophic diabetes: a study with emulsion models of chylomicrons

BACKGROUND

Lipoatrophic diabetes is characterized by the near absence of adipose tissue and the presence of insulin-resistant diabetes. Fasting hypertriglyceridaemia and increased postprandial lipidaemia are also present, but the metabolism of chylomicrons, the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the circulation that carry the dietary fats absorbed by the intestine, was not specifically investigated. Because both the activity of insulin-dependent lipoprotein lipase that catalyses the chylomicron lipolysis and the storage of the lipolysis products are affected in the disease, it is important to evaluate how those changes may ultimately affect the chylomicron lipolysis and removal of chylomicron remnants from the circulation.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the chylomicron intravascular metabolism in patients with lipoatrophic diabetes.

PATIENTS

Six patients with lipoatrophic diabetes (four females, two males) aged 22.2 +/- 4.4 years, with body mass index (BMI) 21.6 +/- 3.6 kg/m(2), were compared with 12 healthy control subjects (seven females, five males) aged 24.3 +/- 2.1 years with BMI 22.5 +/- 2.7 kg/m(2).

MEASUREMENTS

The plasma kinetics of intravenously injected chylomicron-like emulsions labelled with (3)H-triglycerides ((3)H-TG) and with (14)C-cholesteryl esters ((14)C-CE) were determined, the former tracing the chylomicron lipolysis by lipoprotein lipase and the latter the removal of chylomicron remnants from the plasma.

RESULTS

Triglyceride values (8.3 +/- 9.2 mmol/l) in the patients were higher (P < 0.005) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol values (0.8 +/- 0.2 mmol/l) lower (P < 0.0005) than in controls (0.7 +/- 0.2 and 1.3 +/- 0.4 mmol/l, respectively) whereas total cholesterol, apoprotein B (apo B) and apo A1 were similar. The fractional clearance rate (FCR, in min(-1)) of (3)H-TG was 0.014 +/- 0.016 and the FCR of (14)C-CE was 0.008 +/- 0.012 in the patients and 0.046 +/- 0.024 and 0.024 +/- 0.012 in the controls, respectively (P < 0.05). Thus FCRs of both emulsion labels were markedly reduced in the patients, indicating that lipolysis and remnant removal were diminished. Diminished remnant removal may be due to either deficient lipolysis or deficient removal mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

The metabolism of chylomicrons tested by the emulsion method is impaired in lipoatrophic diabetes.

Relationships in women between body mass index and the intravascular metabolism of chylomicron-like emulsions

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether increasing body mass index (BMI) produces increasingly intense disturbances in the metabolism of chylomicrons, the lipoproteins that carry the dietary lipids absorbed by the intestine in the circulation.

SUBJECTS

Four groups of 10 normolipidemic nondiabetic women at the normal (BMI<25 kg/m(2)), preobese (BMI 25-30), obese (BMI 30-40) and morbid obese (BMI>40).

METHODS

Chylomicron metabolism was studied using the method of triglyceride-rich emulsions that mimic chylomicrons. The chylomicron-like emulsion doubly labeled with (3)H-triolein (TO) and (14)C-cholesteryl-oleate (CO) was intravenously injected to calculate the plasma fractional clearance rates (FCR, in min(-1)) by a compartmental analysis model. FCR-TO mirrors both the lipolysis from lipoprotein lipase that the emulsion suffers while still in the circulation, and the triglycerides portion that is not broken down and is removed from the plasma together with the remnant particles. Lipolysis index is calculated subtracting CO from TO areas under the curve.

RESULTS

FCR-TO did not differ among the four groups. The lipolysis index was positively correlated with BMI (r=0.310; P=0.05). On the other hand, FCR-CO progressively diminished from the normal to the morbid obese group (0.069+/-0.01; 0.064+/-0.01; 0.031+/-0.003; 0.029+/-0.005 min(-1), respectively, P=0.003) and there was a negative correlation between FCR-CO and BMI (r=-0.388; P=0.01).

CONCLUSION

In obesity, the capacity to break down chylomicron triglycerides by lipoprotein lipase in vivo increases, but the ability of the organism to remove the resulting chylomicron remnants particles progressively diminishes as the BMI rises. Remnant accumulation most likely predisposes to coronary artery disease development.

Chylomicron margination, lipolysis, and vitamin a uptake in the lactating rat mammary gland: implications for milk retinoid content

We have reported previously that the concentration of vitamin A (VA) in the milk of lactating rats varies with dietary VA intake, even when plasma retinol concentration is unaffected. In the current study, we investigated the role of lipolysis in the uptake of chylomicron (CM) VA into mammary tissue of lactating rats and estimated the proportion of CM-VA that is associated with the mammary gland during CM clearance. Chylomicrons containing [(3)H]VA, mainly as retinyl esters, were prepared in donor rats and administered intravenously to lactating recipient rats. Chylomicron VA rapidly disappeared from plasma and appeared in mammary tissue (maximum within 2-3 mins), followed by a decline. Concomitantly, uptake by liver increased continuously, reaching a plateau within 20-30 mins. Active lipolysis in mammary tissue was necessary for rapid VA uptake, as significantly less CM-VA was recovered in mammary tissue of postlactating rats than of lactating rats, after heparin treatment in lactating rats, or after injection of preformed CM remnants in lactating rats. [(3)H]Vitamin A uptake by mammary tissue increased linearly with CM-VA dose over a 150-fold dose range (R(2) = 0.972, P = 0.0001), suggesting a high capacity for uptake and apparent first-order assimilation of CM-VA during CM remnant formation in situ. Model-based compartmental analysis using WinSAAM predicted that approximately 42% of CM-VA marginated, that is, were temporarily removed, from plasma to the mammary glands during lipolysis and that a total of 3.8% of CM-VA was transferred to mammary tissue. The model-predicted t(1/2) for CM remnants was 3.04 mins. The metabolism of CM-VA in the lactating mammary gland, in proportion to VA absorption and CM-VA contents, may explain how milk VA concentration varies even when plasma retinol levels are unchanged. The mechanism of CM margination and mammary gland uptake described here for VA may be similar for other lipophilic substances.

Endothelial-derived lipoprotein lipase is bound to postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and mediates their hepatic clearance in vivo

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is the key enzyme in the intravascular hydrolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL). Furthermore, it has been shown that inactive LPL can mediate cellular binding and uptake of TRL in vitro. This study investigated whether LPL is bound to postprandial human TRL in vivo, and whether it plays a role in the hepatic clearance of these particles independent of its catalytic activity. LPL was found to bind to postprandial TRL in preheparin plasma of healthy young men. To study the effect of inactive LPL on particle uptake, TRL isolated from patients with inactive LPL (LPL or apoC-II mutations) were used before and after heparin administration. These model particles allow one to study the bridging effect of LPL independent of its enzymatic activity. Organ uptake studies with these particles in mice revealed that inactive LPL increases the hepatic clearance of TRL significantly while uptake into other organs remains largely unaffected. Further evidence that endothelial-derived LPL directs TRL to the liver in vivo was gained with transgenic mice that express inactive LPL exclusively in muscle, revealing greater hepatic uptake than in wild-type mice. In conclusion, these data demonstrate for the first time that LPL is a structural component of postprandial TRL which facilitates hepatic TRL clearance from the circulation independent of its catalytic function.

Inactive lipoprotein lipase (LPL) alone increases selective cholesterol ester uptake in vivo, whereas in the presence of active LPL it also increases triglyceride hydrolysis and whole particle lipoprotein uptake

We have previously shown that transgenic expression of catalytically inactive lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in muscle (Mck-N-LPL) enhances triglyceride hydrolysis as well as whole particle lipoprotein and selective cholesterol ester uptake. In the current study, we have examined whether these functions can be performed by inactive LPL alone or require the presence of active LPL expressed in the same tissue. To study inactive LPL in the presence of active LPL in the same tissue, the Mck-N-LPL transgene was bred onto the heterozygous LPL-deficient (LPL1) background. At 18 h of age, Mck-N-LPL reduced triglycerides by 35% and markedly increased muscle lipid droplets. In adult mice, it reduced triglycerides by 40% and increased lipoprotein particle uptake into muscle by 60% and cholesterol ester uptake by 110%. To study inactive LPL alone, the Mck-N-LPL transgene was bred onto the LPL-deficient (LPL0) background. These mice die at approximately 24 h of age. At 18 h of age, in the absence of active LPL, inactive LPL expression did not diminish triglycerides nor did it result in the accumulation of muscle lipid droplets. To study inactive LPL in the absence of active LPL in the same tissue in adult animals, the Mck-N-LPL transgene was bred onto mice that only expressed active LPL in the heart (LPL0/He-LPL). In this case, Mck-N-LPL did not reduce triglycerides or increase the uptake of lipoprotein particles but did increase muscle uptake of chylomicron and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol ester by 40%. Thus, in the presence of active LPL in the same tissue, inactive LPL augments triglyceride hydrolysis and increases whole particle triglyceride-rich lipoprotein and selective cholesterol ester uptake. In the absence of active LPL in the same tissue, inactive LPL only mediates selective cholesterol ester uptake.

The effects of gemfibrozil upon the metabolism of chylomicron-like emulsions in patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of gemfibrozil upon the intravascular metabolism of chylomicron-like emulsions in endogenous hypertriglyceridemia.

METHODS

We evaluated the plasma kinetics of a chylomicron-like emulsion in 39 subjects: 27 hypertriglyceridemics, total cholesterol (TC) expressed as median (%25; %75) 7.47 (6.1; 8.19) mmol/l and plasma triglycerides (TG) 4.28 (3.6; 18.5) mmol/l and in 12 normolipidemics, TC 4.7 (3.85; 5.37) mmol/l and TG 0.91 (0.64; 1.75) mmol/l. Hypertriglyceridemics were evaluated at baseline and after a 30-day 1200-mg/day gemfibrozil (n=8) or placebo treatment (n=7). The emulsion labelled with 14C-cholesteryl oleate (14C-CO) and 3H-triolein (3H-TO) was injected intravenously after a 12-h fast. The plasma kinetics of 3H-TO and 14C-CO were determined to assess, respectively, lipolysis and clearance of chylomicron and remnants by compartmental analysis.

RESULTS

The residence times (in minutes) of 3H-TO and 14C-CO of hypertriglyceridemics were roughly twice the values of normolipidemics, i.e. 8.0 (5.5; 12.0) versus 15.0 (11.0; 24.0) and 21.5 (14.0; 33.0) versus 44.0 (32.0; 72.0), P=0.001. Gemfibrozil treatment of hypertriglyceridemic patients reduced the residence times of 3H-TO and 14C-CO, respectively, by 46% (P=0.003) and 53% (P=0.008). Effects were noted on the slow phase of emulsion plasma removal, which was reduced in hypertriglyceridemics. After treatment, the emulsion residence times determined in hypertriglyceridemics attained the values of the normolipidemic group.

CONCLUSIONS

Gemfibrozil treatment normalised the defects in chylomicron-like emulsion catabolism observed in endogenous hypertriglyceridemia patients.

Effects of etofibrate upon the metabolism of chylomicron-like emulsions in patients with coronary artery disease

Slow chylomicron intravascular catabolism has been associated with coronary artery disease and screening for drugs that can speed-up this process can be important. In this study, the effects of etofibrate upon chylomicron metabolism was tested by determination of the plasma kinetics of a chylomicron-like emulsion model in 12 patients with coronary artery disease, aged 59+/-11 years, (total cholesterol: 240+/-41 mg/dl; triglycerides: 188+/-42 mg/dl) submitted to a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with administration of 1 g per day etofibrate or placebo for 1-month. A 1-month washout period was inserted between the treatment periods. Patients were intravenously injected a chylomicron-like emulsion doubly labeled with 14C-cholesteryl oleate and 3H-triolein at baseline and after treatments. After etofibrate treatment, there was decrease of total cholesterol and triglyceride plasma levels and a trend to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol plasma levels. Etofibrate elicited 62% enhancement of post-heparin lipolytic activity and 100% increase of 3H-triglyceride fractional clearance rate compared with placebo treatment. 14C-cholesterol ester fractional clearance rate was 260% greater after etofibrate than after placebo. Therefore, a potent effect of etofibrate on both chylomicron lipolysis and remnant removal was achieved, indicating that this drug can be used to improve this metabolism in future prospective studies.

The interaction between oxidised chylomicron remnants and the aorta of rats fed a normocholesterolaemic or hypercholesterolaemic diet

The effects of oxidised chylomicron remnants on endothelium-dependent relaxation and lipoprotein uptake were studied in both the normocholesterolaemic and hypercholesterolaemic rat aorta in vitro. Incubation of aortic rings taken from normocholesterolaemic animals with oxidised (by treatment with copper sulphate) chylomicron remnant particles resulted in a reduction in both vessel sensitivity and maximum percent relaxation in response to carbachol (CCh) and ATP, without affecting responses to A23187 and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). Studies comparing control vessels and those taken from fat-fed rats confirmed that hypercholesterolaemia significantly decreased relaxations in response to CCh and potentiated contractions in response to phenylephrine (PE) via a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent mechanism. Perfusion of the aorta of these hypercholesterolaemic rats for 2 h with (125)I-labelled oxidised chylomicron remnants showed that significantly greater amounts of lipoprotein became associated with the artery wall, as compared to control normocholesterolaemic animals. However, there was no significant difference in the uptake of native chylomicron remnant particles between control and hypercholesterolaemic vessels. Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that incorporation of lipoproteins of dietary origin into the arterial wall may contribute to endothelial dysfunction and that their contribution may be enhanced by hypercholesterolaemia. These data also support the putative involvement of oxidative modification in the atherosclerotic process, although the presence of oxidised chylomicron remnants in vivo and their role in atherogenesis remains to be established.

Effect of pravastatin on plasma removal of a chylomicron-like emulsion in men with coronary artery disease

The speed of the plasma removal of chylomicrons, the lipoproteins that carry dietary lipids absorbed in the intestine, may influence atherogenesis. Thus, the effects of a 30-day pravastatin or placebo treatment on the plasma kinetics of chylomicron-like emulsions were evaluated in 25 patients with coronary artery disease who were not hypertriglyceridemic in a randomized, single-blinded study. Eleven patients (53 +/- 4 years, 10 men) received pravastatin 40 mg/day and 14 received placebo (52 +/- 3 years, 13 men). Emulsions labeled with triolein ((3)H-TO) and cholesteryl oleate ((14)C-CO) to assess lipolysis and clearance of chylomicron and remnants, respectively, were injected intravenously in a bolus after a 12-hour fast. Blood samples were collected during 60 minutes to determine radio isotope decaying curves and fractional catabolic rates. Subjects were studied at baseline and after the treatment period. Compared with placebo (data expressed as mean +/- SEM), pravastatin treatment increased the (14)C-CO fractional catabolic rates (70 +/- 45% vs 18 +/- 10%, p = 0.01), reduced total cholesterol (-21 +/- 3% vs -3 +/- 2% p = 0.0001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (-25 +/- 5% vs 4 +/- 6%, p = 0.0001), and apolipoprotein B levels (-22 +/- 3% vs -7 +/- 3% p = 0.01). (3)H-TO fractional catabolic rates, plasma triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol variations did not differ between the groups. The fractional catabolic rate of (14)C-CO was inversely correlated with plasma apolipoprotein B levels (r = -0.7, p = 0.04). This suggests that besides reducing LDL cholesterol, pravastatin also increases chylomicron remnant clearance, with possible antiatherogenic implications.

Arterial intimal retention of pro-atherogenic lipoproteins in insulin deficient rabbits and rats

Recent observations that remnants of triglyceride rich lipoproteins become trapped within the subendothelial of arterial vessels gives rise to the possibility that these particles could initiate the atherogenic cascade. Increased frequency and progression of atherosclerosis in diabetes might in part be a consequence of raised concentrations in plasma of remnant lipoproteins. In addition, diabetes may lead to changes in the arterial vasculature which exacerbate arterial retention of pro-atherogenic lipoproteins. To explore these possibilities, in this study we determined aortic retention of chylomicron remnants, which are of intestinal origin, and of hepatically derived low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in insulin deficient rabbits and rats. The two species were selected because of their disparate susceptibility to develop atherosclerosis in the presence of diabetes induced hyperlipidemia. Chylomicron remnants and LDL were differentially radiolabelled with a residual marker and injected simultaneously into conscious rabbits or rats. Arterial retention was determined 2 h after injection, and relative retention was expressed as a percentage of mean arterial exposure. We found in insulin deficient rabbits and rats that intimal and medial retention of chylomicron remnants was positively related to the degree of hyperglycemia and was significantly greater than in non-diabetic control groups. In contrast, insulin deficiency did not influence arterial retention of LDL. Rabbits which are susceptible to diabetes induced atherogenesis had significantly greater intimal retention of chylomicron remnants compared to rats. Results from this study support the hypothesis that chronic hyperglycemia promotes arterial retention of triglyceride rich remnant lipoproteins and that atherosclerotic susceptibility might be related to degree of remnant entrapment within the subendothelial space. Greater retention of remnant lipoproteins could in part explain the increased prevalence of atherogenesis in diabetes.

Chylomicron-remnant-induced foam cell formation and cytotoxicity: a possible mechanism of cell death in atherosclerosis

The effects of chylomicron remnants on cytoplasmic lipid loading and cell viability were assessed in cultures of human monocyte-derived macrophages and rabbit arterial smooth muscle cells. At a cholesterol concentration of 150 microg/ml, chylomicron remnants induced substantial cytoplasmic lipid loading of macrophages, but not of smooth muscle cells, within 6 h of exposure. Chylomicron remnants were found to be cytotoxic to macrophages and smooth muscle cells, although the latter were generally more resistant. Chylomicron remnants contained no detectable oxysterols (>1 ng) and contained less non-esterified ('free') fatty acids than non-lipolysed nascent chylomicrons. Chylomicron-remnant-induced cytotoxicity appeared to be time- and dose-dependent. Macrophage and smooth muscle cell viability were inversely related to the production of superoxide free radicals and were significantly improved in the combined presence of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Collectively, our data suggest that, in macrophages, cell viability is compromised as a consequence of superoxide free radical production following uptake of chylomicron remnants. We would suggest that, in arterial smooth muscle cells, chylomicron-remnant-induced cell death also occurs as a consequence of superoxide free radical production. Our observations in the present study suggest that macrophage foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques might be derived from the cellular uptake of chylomicron remnants. Furthermore, arterial accumulation of chylomicron remnants might contribute to plaque destabilization as a consequence of cell death following superoxide free radical production by macrophages and smooth muscle cells.

Plasma clearance of chylomicrons from butterfat is not dependent on saturation: studies with butterfat fractions and other fats containing triacylglycerols with low or high melting points

BACKGROUND

Dietary fats influence plasma lipids, and changes in the clearance and metabolism of postprandial lipoproteins can affect atherosclerosis. Butterfat is considered hypercholesterolemic but contains a multitude of constituent fatty acids.

OBJECTIVES

We determined triacylglycerol and cholesteryl ester clearances of lymph chylomicrons derived from butterfat, fractions of butterfat, and other dietary fats.

METHODS

Radiolabeled lymph chylomicrons resulting from the intestinal absorption of different fats were reinjected into recipient rats to measure plasma clearance. Plasma clearance of [14C]triacylglycerol was used as an indicator of chylomicron lipolysis whereas clearance of [3H]cholesteryl ester was used as an indicator of chylomicron remnant removal.

RESULTS

[3H]Cholesteryl ester clearance was slower from chylomicrons derived from a solid, high-saturated-butterfat fraction than from whole butterfat, but clearance of chylomicrons from other fractions did not correlate with the fractions' saturated fatty acid contents. Clearance of cholesteryl esters in chylomicrons derived from cocoa butter, palm oil, and butterfat was slower than clearance of cholesteryl esters in chylomicrons derived from safflower oil. Hepatic uptakes of cholesteryl esters were generally lower for chylomicrons from all butterfat fractions, cocoa butter, and palm oil.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast with minor effects on the lipolysis of chylomicron triacylglycerols, chylomicron remnant removal was strongly influenced by the type of dietary fat, with slower cholesteryl ester clearances for saturated fats with higher melting points. However, remnant removal and hepatic uptake of chylomicrons from whole butterfat and fractions of butterfat were not correlated with fat saturation. The mechanisms of this apparent paradox remain unknown but may be attributable to acyl arrangements in the lipid classes of chylomicrons that influence the association with apolipoproteins and receptors and hence remnant removal.

Lipoprotein lipase expression level influences tissue clearance of chylomicron retinyl ester

Approximately 25% of postprandial retinoid is cleared from the circulation by extrahepatic tissues. Little is known about physiologic factors important to this uptake. We hypothesized that lipoprotein lipase (LpL) contributes to extrahepatic clearance of chylomicron vitamin A. To investigate this, [3H]retinyl ester-containing rat mesenteric chylomicrons were injected intravenously into induced mutant mice and nutritionally manipulated rats. The tissue sites of uptake of 3H label by wild type mice and LpL-null mice overexpressing human LpL in muscle indicate that LpL expression does influence accumulation of chylomicron retinoid. Skeletal muscle from mice overexpressing human LpL accumulated 1.7- to 2.4-fold more 3H label than wild type. Moreover, heart tissue from mice overexpresssing human LpL, but lacking mouse LpL, accumulated less than half of the 3H-label taken up by wild type heart. Fasting and heparin injection, two factors that increase LpL activity in skeletal muscle, increased uptake of chylomicron [3H] retinoid by rat skeletal muscle. Using [3H]retinyl palmitate and its non-hydrolyzable analog retinyl [14C]hexadecyl ether incorporated into Intralipid emulsions, the importance of retinyl ester hydrolysis in this process was assessed. We observed that 3H label was taken up to a greater extent than 14C label by rat skeletal muscle, suggesting that retinoid uptake requires hydrolysis. In summary, for each of our experiments, the level of lipoprotein lipase expression in skeletal muscle, heart, and/or adipose tissue influenced the amount of [3H]retinoid taken up from chylomicrons and/or their remnants.

The influence of chylomicron remnants on endothelial cell function in the isolated perfused rat aorta

A system for the perfusion of the isolated rat aorta which allowed the study of both the uptake of chylomicron remnants by the artery wall and their effects on endothelial function was developed. Perfusion for 2 h with 125I-labelled native or oxidised (by treatment with copper sulphate) chylomicron remnants showed that small amounts became associated with the artery wall (0.111 +/- 0.034 and 0.216 +/- 0.082 ng protein/mg tissue, respectively). Tests on endothelial function were carried out in vessel rings prepared after perfusion of the aortas in the presence or absence of chylomicron remnants for 2 h. After perfusion of the vessels with oxidised chylomicron remnants, the maximum response to phenylephrine (PE) was significantly increased (from 0.34 +/- 0.06 to 0.51 +/- 0.04 g/mg tissue; P < 0.05), while the maximum % relaxation to carbachol (CCh) was significantly decreased (from 91.6 +/- 2.4 to 71.5 +/- 7.2; P < 0.05) and the response to S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillimine (SNAP) was unaffected. Perfusion with native chylomicron remnants showed a tendency to induce similar effects, although the changes observed did not reach statistical significance. As the lipoproteins were not present in the solution bathing the vessel rings during these tests, these effects can be attributed to perfusion of the aortas with chylomicron remnants, despite only small quantities being associated with the artery wall. The results suggest that oxidised chylomicron remnants influence vascular endothelial function by interfering with the L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway. The observed potentiation of contraction to PE may be due to inhibition of the basal release of NO or to the release of contractile factors. These findings support a role for dietary lipoproteins in the modulation of endothelial cell function which occurs in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Effects of particle size and number on the plasma clearance of chylomicrons and remnants

Lymph chylomicrons of different sizes are known to be cleared at different rates, but the underlying mechanism for this effect has not been resolved. To investigate the differences in clearance rates between small and large particles, chylomicron-like lipid emulsions labeled with radioactive triolein and cholesteryl oleate were injected into conscious rats. The clearance from plasma of small emulsion particles was significantly slower than large when equal lipid masses of small and large particles were injected. Similar results were obtained in clearance studies with lymph chylomicrons. When equal numbers of either small or large emulsion particles were injected into rats, the clearance of the triolein label from large particles was significantly slower than small particles but no significant difference was found in the clearance of the remnants (traced by the cholesteryl oleate label) derived from small and large particles. However, when increased numbers of either small or large particles were injected, the clearances of emulsion triolein and remnants were significantly decreased. Larger particles were found to be lipolyzed significantly less than small. Simultaneous injections showed competition for removal of large and small particles, suggesting competition for a common, saturable removal process. Our findings provide evidence that particle number and size are determinants of the rates of plasma clearance of the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and the results are consistent with a saturable process. Our data also show that particle number is more important than size and higher numbers of particles markedly affect the clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. However particle uptake by the liver is not sensitive to remnant size.

Clearance of postprandial lipoproteins in normolipemics: role of the apolipoprotein E phenotype

The hepatic clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins is mediated via apolipoprotein (apo) E which occurs in three common isoforms, apoE2, apoE3 and apoE4. To study the importance of the apoE isoforms on the response curves of different triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and the effect of chylomicron remnants on the composition of HDL, 37 normolipemics were investigated after a standardized fatty meal (8 apoE2/E2, 8 apoE2/E3, 8 apoE3/E3, 7 apoE3/E4 and 6 apoE4/E4). These individuals were matched for age, body mass index, fasting triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and apoA-I. A delayed chylomicron remnant clearance was observed only in apoE2 homozygotes, and this delay was neither correlated with fasting lip ds nor with peak lipoprotein concentrations. In apoE2/E3 heterozygotes, in contrast, the defective isoform E2 appears to be compensated for by the normal apoE isoform E3. In non-apo-E2/E2 individuals, the chylomicron remnant response was highly correlated with the magnitude of chylomicron and VLDL responses, with fasting triglycerides, and with the triglycerides enrichment and cholesterol depletion of HDL. These correlations were not observed in apoE2/E2. From these results we conclude that the chylomicron remnant response curve is an indicator of the extent of postprandial lipemia in non-apoE2/E2 individuals only.

Arterial fatty lesions have increased uptake of chylomicron remnants but not low-density lipoproteins

BACKGROUND

This study compares the accumulation of pre-formed chylomicron-remnants, chylomicrons and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in rabbit thoracic aorta. To determine whether lipoproteins are delivered via the vasa vasorum, the aortic uptake of lipoproteins was compared to that of the common carotid artery. The uptake of chylomicron remnants and LDL were compared in lesioned and non-lesioned aortic tissue from Watanabe heritable hyperlipidaemic (WHHL) rabbits.

METHODS

Chylomicrons, chylomicron-remnants and LDL were radio-labelled with tyramine-cellobiose and injected into rabbits. Arterial uptake was determined after 2 h as the percentage of injected lipoproteins associated with arterial tissue and also expressed as a fraction of mean arterial exposure.

RESULTS

Aortic accumulation of radio-labelled chylomicron-remnants was substantially greater than for chylomicrons, and both were significantly greater than LDL. The data suggests that chylomicrons must first be hydrolysed to smaller particles before uptake. In normal rabbits, there was no difference in uptake of the lipoproteins between the aorta and carotid vessels, suggesting that the vasa vasorum is not significantly involved in lipoprotein delivery. However, in WHHL rabbits there was significantly greater aortic uptake of chylomicrons and LDL compared to the carotid vessel and, in cholesterol-fed rabbits, significantly greater aortic uptake of chylomicrons, suggesting that in hypercholesterolaemia the lipoprotein retention properties of some arterial beds change. In arterial fatty lesions from WHHL and cholesterol-fed rabbits there was an exclusive increase in chylomicron remnant uptake, whereas LDL uptake was similar to non-lesioned tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Chylomicron remnants and not their precursors might be primary atherogenic lipoprotein because they penetrate arterial tissue efficiently and are selectively retained in sites of lesion formation.

Role of the intestine in chylomicron remnant clearance

When 810 mumol of [3H]glyceryl trioleate (TO) were infused intraduodenally over 6 h into rats, 29% of the triacylglycerol (TG) acyl groups in the mucosa were not from the infusate. We tested the hypothesis that chylomicron remnants contribute to the mucosal pool of nondietary TG acyl groups, since the acyl group composition of the chylomicron remnants was 58% oleate, compared with 90% in their parent chylomicrons. Purified 3H-labeled remnants were generated from chylomicrons formed in rats receiving TO intraduodenally, with 95% of the remnant disintegrations per minute (dpm) being in TG. The 3H-remnants were infused intravenously into rats receiving either saline or 135 mumol/h TO intraduodenally. In the saline-infused rats, 32% of the infused 3H dpm were in the proximal and 19% in the distal intestine and 32% were in the liver. In the fat-infused rats, 12% of the infused 3H dpm were in the proximal and 5% were in the distal gut and 29% were in the liver. When [3H]cholesterol-labeled remnants were infused intravenously and saline was infused intraduodenally, the percentage uptake into the mucosa was nearly the same as with the TG label, but comparable uptake by the liver increased. We conclude that the intestine competes with the liver for chylomicron remnant TG and cholesterol.

Selective liver targeting of antivirals by recombinant chylomicrons--a new therapeutic approach to hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the world's most important chronic virus infection. No safe and effective treatment is available at present, and clinical exploration of promising antiviral agents, such as nucleoside analogues is hampered because of significant side-effects due to their aspecific body distribution. We are exploring the possibility of the selective delivery of antiviral active drugs to liver parenchymal cells, the main site of infection and replication of HBV. Chylomicrons, which transport dietary lipids into the liver via apolipoprotein E-specific receptors, could serve as drug carriers. However, their endogenous nature hampers their application as pharmaceutical drug carriers. We report here that incorporation of a derivative of the nucleoside analogue iododeoxyuridine into recombinant chylomicrons leads to selective targeting to liver parenchymal cells. Potentially effective intracellular drug concentrations of 700 nM can be achieved, and we therefore anticipate that these drug carrier complexes represent a conceptual advance in the development of an effective and safe therapy for hepatitis B.

Chylomicrons or their remnants penetrate rabbit thoracic aorta as efficiently as do smaller macromolecules, including low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and albumin

BACKGROUND

The aortic accumulation of chylomicrons, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and albumin were compared in normal New Zealand White rabbits.

METHODS

Lipoproteins and albumin were labelled with radioiodinated tyramine cellobiose (TC) to avoid potential oxidative modification of lipoproteins and as a marker of intracellular degradation. In preliminary experiments it was established that TC labelling did not alter the kinetic properties of lipoproteins in vivo. Importantly, radiolabelled apolipoproteins did not transfer significantly between plasma lipoproteins. Therefore, aortic radioactivity following infusion of TC-radiolabelled lipoproteins was considered to be indicative of lipoprotein accumulation.

RESULTS

In conscious rabbits, net aortic accumulation of chylomicrons or their remnants was similar to those of LDL, HDL and albumin up to 2 h after infusion, despite rapid clearance from plasma. When accumulation was calculated on the basis of mean arterial exposure to allow for the differences in plasma clearance, the accumulation of aortic chylomicrons/remnants was substantially greater than that of LDL, HDL or albumin. Qualitatively similar results were obtained in rabbits that were functionally eviscerated to slow clearance of chylomicron remnants. Chylomicrons/remnants did not appear to efflux from aortic tissue as rapidly as did LDL or other plasma lipoproteins. Autoradiographic analysis showed that the primary site of lipoprotein accumulation was within medial smooth muscle cells.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate that chylomicrons/remnants accumulate in arterial blood vessels more rapidly than does LDL, suggesting that dietary lipoproteins may be directly involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Biphasic effects of low-molecular-weight and conventional heparins on chylomicron clearance in rats

Chylomicrons labeled in vivo with [14C]triglycerides and [3H]retinyl esters were injected in rats at a series of times after administration of conventional unfractionated heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), or saline. In saline controls the clearance of both chylomicron triglycerides and retinyl esters seemed to follow exponential courses, with half-lives of about 5 and 10 minutes, respectively. Five minutes after administration of LMWH or UFH, the triglyceride clearance rates were dramatically increased and were associated with an increased appearance of the radiolabel in circulating free fatty acids (FFAs). The clearance of [3H]retinol radioactivity, ie, chylomicron particles, was also enhanced 5 minutes after heparin injection. From 75% to 90% disappeared from the circulation within the first 5 minutes. Their continued disappearance was much slower, with a slope similar to that of the saline-treated rats. Hence, it was as if a new, rapid exponent had been added to the disappearance curve that accounted for most of the particle clearance. Injection of chylomicrons 1 hour after the heparins resulted in substantially slower clearance compared with saline-treated controls of both triglyceride and retinol radioactivity in rats given a high dose of LMWH or a low dose of either heparin. Appearance of label in plasma FFAs was also decreased, suggesting that impeded lipolysis was responsible, at least in part, for the impeded chylomicron clearance. Four and 24 hours after heparin injection all studied parameters of chylomicron clearance had returned to normal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A physiologically based model for gastrointestinal absorption and excretion of chemicals carried by lipids

Pharmacokinetic models which incorporate independently measured anatomical characteristics and physiological flows have been widely used to predict the pharmacokinetic behavior of drugs, anesthetics, and other chemicals. Models appearing in the literature have included as many as 18, or as few as 5 tissue compartments. With the exception of the multiple-compartment delay trains used by Bischoff to model the delays inherent to the appearance of drug metabolites in bile and segments of the intestinal lumen, very little effort has been made to incorporate the available information on gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology into more accurate gastrointestinal absorption/enterohepatic recirculation submodels. Since several authors have shown that the lymphatic system is the most significant route of absorption for highly lipophilic chemicals, we have constructed a model of gastrointestinal absorption that emphasizes chylomicron production and transport as the most significant route of absorption for nonvolatile, lipophilic chemicals. The absorption and distribution of hexachlorobenzene after intravenous vs. oral dosing are used to demonstrate features of this model.

Chylomicrons alter the fate of endotoxin, decreasing tumor necrosis factor release and preventing death

The hypertriglyceridemia of infection was traditionally thought to represent the mobilization of substrate to fuel the body's response to the infectious challenge. However, we have previously shown that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins can protect against endotoxin-induced lethality. The current studies examine the mechanism by which this protection occurs. Rats infused with a lethal dose of endotoxin preincubated with chylomicrons had a reduced mortality compared with rats infused with endotoxin alone (15 vs. 76%, P < 0.001). Preincubation with chylomicrons increased the rate of clearance of endotoxin from plasma and doubled the amount of endotoxin cleared by the liver (30 +/- 1 vs. 14 +/- 2% of the total infused radiolabel, P < 0.001). In addition, autoradiographic studies showed that chylomicrons directed more of the endotoxin to hepatocytes and away from hepatic macrophages. Rats infused with endotoxin plus chylomicrons also showed reduced peak serum levels of tumor necrosis factor as compared with controls (14.2 +/- 3.3 vs. 44.9 +/- 9.5 ng/ml, mean +/- SEM, P = 0.014). In separate experiments, chylomicrons (1,000 mg triglyceride/kg) or saline were infused 10 min before the infusion of endotoxin. Chylomicron pretreatment resulted in a reduced mortality compared with rats infused with endotoxin alone (22 vs. 78%, P < 0.005). Therefore, chylomicrons can protect against endotoxin-induced lethality with and without preincubation with endotoxin. The mechanism by which chylomicrons protect against endotoxin appears to involve the shunting of endotoxin to hepatocytes and away from macrophages, thereby decreasing macrophage activation and the secretion of cytokines.

Effects of anaesthesia on the removal from plasma of intravenously injected chylomicron-like lipid emulsions in rats and mice

1. In order to find an anaesthesia with minimum perturbation to the metabolism of chylomicrons, the effects of seven different anaesthetic agents on clearance from plasma of chylomicron-like emulsions were compared. 2. Avertin, urethane, fentanyl, and a ketamine/xylazine mixture all slowed the removal from plasma of emulsion triolein and cholesteryl oleate. The steroid anaesthetic althesin slowed the clearance of emulsion cholesteryl oleate without affecting the removal from plasma of emulsion triolein. Nembutal when injected intravenously at a hypnotic dose did not affect the clearance of emulsion triolein or cholesteryl oleate, whereas at the anaesthetic dose, nembutal slowed the clearance rate of both labelled lipids. 3. Except for althesin, which did not affect the plasma clearance of triolein, fractional clearance rates of emulsion triolein and cholesteryl oleate calculated from blood samples taken during 12 min after injection were significantly slower in the anaesthetized groups compared with controls. However, with avertin, althesin, nembutal and ketamine/xylazine, amounts of radiolabelled triolein and cholesteryl oleate remaining in plasma 25 and 30 min after injection were comparable with the control. Radioactive lipids in plasma remained much higher in rats treated with urethane and fentanyl-fluanisonium even 30 min after injection. 4. Avertin was simple to administer and produced a suitable depth of anaesthesia for minor surgery, tail vein injections and blood sampling, whereas althesin and the ketamine/xylazine mixture required supplementary doses to maintain anaesthesia towards the end of the experiment. We concluded that anaesthesia is best avoided for studies of chylomicron clearance. Avertin is the preferred agent if anaesthesia must be used, for example in newborn rats or in mice.

Uptake of chylomicron remnant retinyl esters in human leukocytes in vivo

Retinoids have been successfully used in the treatment of some forms of leukaemia, suggesting that such cells have an efficient uptake mechanism for circulating retinoids. Therefore, we have studied the uptake of lipoprotein-associated retinyl esters in human leukocytes in vivo. After an oral load of 100 mumol retinyl palmitate (30,000 retinol equivalents) per square meter given to healthy adults, the concentration of retinoids in circulating leukocytes was determined. A peak was measured after 5 h, which coincided with a peak of retinyl esters in plasma. To test whether low-density lipoprotein receptors are necessary for the postprandial uptake of retinoids, we studied retinoid uptake in leukocytes from two patients homozygous for familial hypercholesterolaemia. After an oral load of retinoids we found that leukocytes from these patients took up at least as much retinoid as leukocytes in normal individuals, suggesting that uptake of chylomicron remnant retinyl esters may proceed independent of the low-density lipoprotein receptor. The expression of mRNA for the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, which is a putative chylomicron remnant receptor, was similar in leukocytes from a patient homozygous for familial hypercholesterolaemia and normal individuals. Six hours after vitamin A administration, recovery of unesterified retinol was 71% in normal leukocytes, however, only 9% unesterified retinol was recovered in leukocytes from the two patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Thus, the apparent rate of retinyl ester hydrolysis was markedly reduced in leukocytes from these patients, indicating different intracellular traffic of chylomicron remnants in normal individuals and patients homozygous for familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Metabolism of intestinal triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the genetically hypercholesterolemic rat (RICO)

Experiments were carried out to compare the catabolism of intestinal lipoproteins between genetically hypercholesterolemic (RICO) and normocholesterolemic (SW) rats. Kinetics of plasma cholesteryl ester were studied after injection of cholesterol-labeled chylomicrons or VLDL. The chylomicron clearance is reduced in the RICO rat (rate constant, K = 7.2 +/- 0.1 h-1 vs. 10.7 +/- 0.1 h-1 in SW rat), while a much more minor alteration was observed in the catabolism of lymph VLDL (K = 4.3 +/- 0.6 h-1 in the RICO rat vs. 5.1 +/- 0.4 h-1). The injection of chylomicrons from SW rats to RICO rats and from RICO rats to SW rats showed that the fall in the rate of catabolism of chylomicrons in RICO rats was not secondary to an increase in the production rate, but was related to the lipoprotein particle itself without any alteration of the catabolic system. The reduction in the rate of catabolism of chylomicrons in the RICO rat could be related to a change in their apolipoprotein composition (increase in the proportion of apolipoprotein E = 12 +/- 2% vs. 3 +/- 1% in the SW rat).

Oral estradiol-17 beta raises the level of plasma high-density lipoprotein in menopausal women by slowing down its clearance rate

Plasma lipoprotein composition, plasma kinetics of autologous [125I]HDL and the metabolism of iv administered radioactively labelled artificial chylomicrons were studied in postmenopausal women during a control period and after 4 months of oral estradiol-17 beta treatment (1 mg/m2 body surface per day). Drug treatment significantly raised plasma HDL-cholesterol levels (19%) in the fasting state and total apolipoprotein A-I (16%), but did not interfere with triglyceride, VLDL, LDL or apolipoprotein-B values. As compared with the control period, estradiol-17 beta administration significantly slowed down plasma [125I]HDL clearance by about 82% and reduced the delipidation index of the injected artificial chylomicrons by 47% as a consequence of impaired plasma lipolytic activity.

Chylomicron-chylomicron remnant clearance by liver and bone marrow in rabbits. Factors that modify tissue-specific uptake

The metabolism of [14C]cholesterol- and [3H]retinol-labeled chylomicrons obtained from canine thoracic duct or rabbit mesenteric lymph was investigated in normal fasted rabbits. Typically, 70-80% of the chylomicrons injected into the rabbits were cleared from the plasma in 20 min, and their uptake was accounted for principally by the liver and the bone marrow. Surprisingly, the bone marrow was a major site of uptake; the uptake ranged from about half that of the liver to a nearly equal amount. The importance and specificity of chylomicron-chylomicron remnant uptake by the bone marrow were established by demonstrating that (a) bone marrow throughout the body accumulated these lipoproteins, (b) the level of uptake was consistent regardless of how the values were calculated or how the chylomicrons were prepared, (c) the uptake represented specific binding, and (d) radiolabeled intestinal lipoproteins induced in vivo delivered cholesterol and retinol to the marrow. Electron microscopic examination of the rabbit bone marrow established that perisinusoidal macrophages uniquely accounted for the uptake of the chylomicrons. Whereas liver cleared a variety of both triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (chylomicrons, chylomicron remnants, and very low density lipoproteins) and cholesterol-rich lipoproteins (beta-very low density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein E), bone marrow uptake appeared to be restricted to the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. More chylomicron remnants (generated in a hepatectomized rabbit) were cleared by the liver than by the bone marrow, and the addition of excess apolipoprotein E to chylomicrons resulted in their preferential uptake by the liver. The role of chylomicron-chylomicron remnant delivery of lipids or lipid-soluble vitamins to rabbit bone marrow is open to speculation, and whether triglyceride-rich lipoprotein uptake occurs to a significant extent in the bone marrow of humans remains to be determined.

The effect of added monoacylglycerols on the removal from plasma of chylomicron-like emulsions injected intravenously in rats

Lipid emulsions were prepared with compositions similar to the triacylglycerol-rich plasma lipoproteins, but also incorporating added small amounts of monoacylglycerols. Control emulsions without monoacylglycerol were metabolized similarly to natural chylomicrons or very-low-density lipoproteins when injected intravenously in rats. The emulsion triacylglycerols and cholesteryl esters were both removed rapidly from the bloodstream, with the removal rates of triacylglycerols faster than those of cholesteryl esters. Much of the removed cholesteryl ester was found in the liver, but only a small fraction of the triacylglycerol, consistent with hepatic uptake of the triacylglycerol-depleted remnants of the injected emulsion. Emulsions incorporating added monooleoylglycerol or stearic acid were metabolized similarly. Added 1- or 2-monostearoylglycerol had no effect on triacylglycerol removal from plasma, but the removal rate of cholesteryl esters was decreased and less cholesteryl ester was found in the liver. These effects are similar to those recently described when emulsions and chylomicrons contained triacylglycerols with a saturated acyl chain at the glycerol 2-position, suggesting that saturated monoacylglycerol produced by the action of lipoprotein lipase may cause triacylglycerol-depleted remnant particles to remain in the plasma instead of being rapidly taken up by the liver.

Possible hypocholesterolemic action of 15-ketosterol: replacement of dietary cholesterol absorption

15-Ketosterol (5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-3 beta-ol-15-one), a potent inhibitor for sterol synthesis, has shown hypocholesterolemic effects in rodents, baboons, and rhesus monkeys. In recent studies we demonstrated that 15-ketosterol also exerted regulation on the input of cholesterol at the level of intestinal absorption. When Sprague Dawley rats were fed 0.05% 15-ketosterol in their chow for 10 days, a decrease in the absorption of cholesterol into lymph by 62 +/- 8% (n = 4) was observed in the first 48 hrs after the intragastic infusion of radiolabelled cholesterol. The absorption of cholesterol replaced by 15-ketosterol was further evidenced in the demonstration that the rats had a much more efficient rates of absorbing 15-ketosterol. Infusing rats with equal amount of the two sterols, the amount of 15-ketosterol absorbed was 3-4 fold that of cholesterol in the initial 10 hrs. 15-Ketosterol was absorbed in and mainly esterified with 18:1 packed into intestinal chylomicrons. Upon the intravenous injection of chylomicrons isolated from other animals receiving 3H-15-ketosterol intragastrically, the rapid appearance of radioactivity in the liver suggested that chylomicrons were taken up effectively. Ketosteryl ester was hydrolyzed back to 15-ketosterol in the liver. The metabolic fate of 15-ketosterol was very different from that of cholesterol. Over 85% of the administered dose was recovered in the bile 38 hrs after intravenous injection of 15-ketosterol. In contrast, only 15% of cholesterol and/or its metabolites was slowly secreted in the bile.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)