Alisol B 23-acetate activates ABCG5/G8 in the jejunum via the LXRα/ACAT2 pathway to relieve atherosclerosis in ovariectomized ApoE-/- mice

Phytosterols have been shown to improve blood lipid levels and treat atherosclerosis. This research investigated the effects of phytosterol Alisol B 23-acetate (AB23A) on jejunum lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. The results show that intragastric administration of AB23A can significantly reduce atherosclerotic plaque area and lipid accumulation in the jejunum of ovariectomized ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet and can also improve the lipid mass spectra of the plasma and jejunum. In vitro studies have shown that AB23A can increase cholesterol outflow in Caco-2 cells exposed to high fat concentrations and increase the expression of ATP-binding cassette transfer proteins G5/G8 (ABCG5/G8), the liver X receptor α (LXRα). Furthermore, inhibition of LXRα can significantly eliminate the active effect of AB23A on decreasing intracellular lipid accumulation. We also confirmed that AB23A has a negative effect on Acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2) in Caco-2 cells cultured in the high concentrations of fat, and we found that AB23A further reduces ACAT2 expression in cells treated with the ACAT2 inhibitor pyripyropene or transfected with ACAT2 siRNA. In conclusion, we confirmed that AB23A can reduce the absorption of dietary lipids in the jejunum by affecting the LXRα-ACAT2-ABCG5/G8 pathway and ultimately exert an anti-atherosclerotic effect.

Modulation of Rat Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy by Dietary Cholesterol

INTRODUCTION

The aim of study was to evaluate impact of long-term dietary cholesterol overload on the cholesterol homeostasis and liver regeneration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Serum lipid parameters, 14C-cholesterol incorporation, liver DNA synthesis and protein expression was determined in partially hepatectomized (PH) rats fed with a standard (SLD) or hypercholesterolemic (CHOL) diet.

RESULTS

29-day intake of CHOL diet before PH produced increase in serum total cholesterol, LDL lipoprotein, and triglyceride concentration. PH provoked decrease in serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in both groups. PH was associated with increase in serum ALT activity more pronounced in CHOL animals. Hepatic DNA synthesis was increased after PH in both groups, but lower in CHOL. Hypercholesterolemic diet reduced the absorption of radiolabelled cholesterol in intestine and then activity in blood and liver. The 14C-cholesterol hepatic activities tend to increase after PH in both groups. CHOL diet produced up-regulation of Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase-2 protein expression. PH was associated with increase of LDL receptor and Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase-2 protein expression in both dietary groups.

DISCUSSION

Liver regeneration after PH is negatively influenced by CHOL diet. The increased uptake of cholesterol in the liver after PH associated with up-regulation of LDL receptor protein expression suggests preferential use of extrahepatic cholesterol by the liver.

Cholesterol synthesis inhibition elicits an integrated molecular response in human livers including decreased ACAT2

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify how different degrees of cholesterol synthesis inhibition affect human hepatic cholesterol metabolism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty-seven normocholesterolemic gallstone patients randomized to treatment with placebo, 20 mg/d fluvastatin, or 80 mg/d atorvastatin for 4 weeks were studied. Based on serum lathosterol determinations, cholesterol synthesis was reduced by 42% and 70% in the 2 groups receiving statins. VLDL cholesterol was reduced by 20% and 55%. During gallstone surgery, a liver biopsy was obtained and hepatic protein and mRNA expression of rate-limiting steps in cholesterol metabolism were assayed and related to serum lipoproteins. A marked induction of LDL receptors and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG) coenzyme A (CoA) reductase was positively related to the degree of cholesterol synthesis inhibition (ChSI). The activity, protein, and mRNA for ACAT2 were all reduced during ChSI, as was apoE mRNA. The lowering of HDL cholesterol in response to high ChSI could not be explained by altered expression of the HDL receptor CLA-1, ABCA1, or apoA-I.

CONCLUSIONS

Statin treatment reduces ACAT2 activity in human liver and this effect, in combination with a reduced Apo E expression, may contribute to the favorable lowering of VLDL cholesterol seen in addition to the LDL lowering during statin treatment.

Esculeogenin A, a new tomato sapogenol, ameliorates hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice by inhibiting ACAT

OBJECTIVE

We recently identified esculeoside A, a new spirosolane-type glycoside, with a content in tomatoes that is 4-fold higher than that of lycopene. In the present study, we examined the effects of esculeoside A and esculeogenin A, a new aglycon of esculeoside A, on foam cell formation in vitro and atherogenesis in apoE-deficient mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Esculeogenin A significantly inhibited the accumulation of cholesterol ester (CE) induced by acetylated low density lipoprotein (acetyl-LDL) in human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM) in a dose-dependent manner without inhibiting triglyceride accumulation, however, it did not inhibit the association of acetyl-LDL to the cells. Esculeogenin A also inhibited CE formation in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing acyl-coenzymeA (CoA): cholesterol acyl-transferase (ACAT)-1 or ACAT-2, suggesting that esculeogenin A suppresses the activity of both ACAT-1 and ACAT-2. Furthermore, esculeogenin A prevented the expression of ACAT-1 protein, whereas that of SR-A and SR-BI was not suppressed. Oral administration of esculeoside A to apoE-deficient mice significantly reduced the levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and the areas of atherosclerotic lesions without any detectable side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides the first evidence that purified esculeogenin A significantly suppresses the activity of ACAT protein and leads to reduction of atherogenesis.

Effects of trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid on cholesterol metabolism in hypercholesterolaemic hamsters

BACKGROUND

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has received great attention in recent years because of its pleiotropic biological activities, but considerably fewer studies have been published addressing its role in serum lipids and atherosclerosis compared to other topics covered.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of the trans-10,cis-12 isomer of CLA on cholesterolaemia and on several metabolic pathways involved in cholesterol metabolism in hamsters.

METHODS

Animals were fed atherogenic diets supplemented with 0.5% linoleic acid, 0.5% trans-10,cis-12 CLA or 1.0% trans-10,cis-12 CLA, for 6 weeks. Serum lipoproteins were separated by FPLC. Cholesterol in serum and liver, as well as triacylglycerols and phospholipids in liver were assessed by spectrophotometry. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCoAR), acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) and cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH) activities were measured by radiometry, and LDL receptors were determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

trans-10,cis-12 CLA feeding did not modify food intake nor final body weight. Although serum total cholesterol remained unchanged, when cholesterol fractions were analyzed a significant decrease in VLDL-cholesterol was observed in CLA-fed animals, without changes in HDL-cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol. trans-10,cis-12 CLA decreased cholesterol ester content and increased free cholesterol in liver. The activity of HMGCoAR was not modified. In contrast, ACAT activity was reduced by both CLA doses and CEH was increased by the high CLA dose. LDL receptors were significantly reduced by trans-10,cis-12 feeding when expressed as arbitrary units per mg of protein, however, the total receptor mass remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that, under the present experimental conditions, trans-10,cis-12 CLA feeding reduces cholesterol esterification in liver and decreases the minority serum VLDL-cholesterol fraction, but it does not show a hypocholesterolaemic effect. A dose-response effect was not observed.

Glabrol, an acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitor from licorice roots

Acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) esterifies free cholesterol in the liver and the intestine. It has relations with production of lipoproteins and accumulation of cholesteryl esters of the atheroma. Therefore, ACAT inhibitors may act as antihypercholesterolemic and antiatherosclerotic agents. One isoprenyl flavonoid was isolated from ethanol extract of licorice roots. On the basis of spectral evidences, the compound was identified as glabrol (1). Compound 1 inhibited rat liver microsomal ACAT activity with an IC(50) value of 24.6 microM and decreased cholesteryl ester formation with an IC(50) value of 26.0 microM in HepG2 cells. In addition, 1 showed a non-competitive type of inhibition against ACAT.

The ACAT inhibitor CP-113,818 markedly reduces amyloid pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) accumulation in specific brain regions is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have previously reported that a well-characterized acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, CP-113,818, inhibits Abeta production in cell-based experiments. Here, we assessed the efficacy of CP-113,818 in reducing AD-like pathology in the brains of transgenic mice expressing human APP(751) containing the London (V717I) and Swedish (K670M/N671L) mutations. Two months of treatment with CP-113,818 reduced the accumulation of amyloid plaques by 88%-99% and membrane/insoluble Abeta levels by 83%-96%, while also decreasing brain cholesteryl-esters by 86%. Additionally, soluble Abeta(42) was reduced by 34% in brain homogenates. Spatial learning was slightly improved and correlated with decreased Abeta levels. In nontransgenic littermates, CP-113,818 also reduced ectodomain shedding of endogenous APP in the brain. Our results suggest that ACAT inhibition may be effective in the prevention and treatment of AD by inhibiting generation of the Abeta peptide.

Enhancement of human ACAT1 gene expression to promote the macrophage-derived foam cell formation by dexamethasone

In macrophages, the accumulation of cholesteryl esters synthesized by the activated acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase-1 (ACAT1) results in the foam cell formation, a hallmark of early atherosclerotic lesions. In this study, with the treatment of a glucocorticoid hormone dexamethasone (Dex), lipid staining results clearly showed the large accumulation of lipid droplets containing cholesteryl esters in THP-1-derived macrophages exposed to lower concentration of the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). More notably, when treated together with specific anti-ACAT inhibitors, the abundant cholesteryl ester accumulation was markedly diminished in THP-1-derived macrophages, confirming that ACAT is the key enzyme responsible for intracellular cholesteryl ester synthesis. RT-PCR and Western blot results indicated that Dex caused up-regulation of human ACAT1 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels in THP-1 and THP-1-derived macrophages. The luciferase activity assay demonstrated that Dex could enhance the activity of human ACAT1 gene P1 promoter, a major factor leading to the ACAT1 activation, in a cell-specific manner. Further experimental evidences showed that a glucocorticoid response element (GRE) located within human ACAT1 gene P1 promoter to response to the elevation of human ACAT1 gene expression by Dex could be functionally bound with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) proteins. These data supported the hypothesis that the clinical treatment with Dex, which increased the incidence of atherosclerosis, may in part due to enhancing the ACAT1 expression to promote the accumulation of cholesteryl esters during the macrophage-derived foam cell formation, an early stage of atherosclerosis.

4-hydroxycinnamate lowers plasma and hepatic lipids without changing antioxidant enzyme activities

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of 4-hydroxycinnamate (4-(OH)-C) supplement on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant system of rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.

METHODS

Three groups of rats were given a diet containing 1 g cholesterol/kg for 6 weeks. The control group only received a high cholesterol diet, whereas the other two groups received a diet including lovastatin or 4-(OH)-C (0.1 g/100 g).

RESULTS

The plasma total cholesterol concentration was significantly lowered by the 4-(OH)-C supplement, whereas the HDL-cholesterol level was higher in this group. The 4-(OH)-C supplement significantly lowered the hepatic cholesterol and triglycerides levels, respectively. Accumulation of hepatic lipid droplet was the highest in control group; however, it was decreased by supplementation of the 4-(OH)-C and the lovastatin. The hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activities were not significantly different between the groups, whereas the ACAT activity was significantly lowered in the lovastatin group. The 4-(OH)-C significantly lowered the hepatic TBARS content. And it did not alter the neutral sterol and total fecal sterol, however, the fecal acidic sterol was higher in the lovastatin and the 4-(OH)-C groups than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that 4-(OH)-C was effective in lowering the plasma cholesterol and hepatic lipids.

Lipid-lowering efficacy of hesperetin metabolites in high-cholesterol fed rats

BACKGROUND

Hesperetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid that has hypolipidemic properties.

METHODS

Male rats were fed a 1 g/100 g high-cholesterol diet for 5 weeks along with hesperetin (0.02%, 0.066 mmol/100 g diet) and hesperetin metabolites. The hesperetin metabolites, m-hydroxycinnamic acid (m-HC), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid (3,4-DHPP), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid), were supplemented based on an equivalent amount of hesperetin.

RESULTS

The supplementation of hesperetin and its metabolites significantly lowered the plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations compared to the control group. The hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activities were significantly lower in the hesperetin and its metabolite supplemented groups than in the control group. The excretion of acidic sterol was significantly higher in the hesperetin, m-HC, 3,4-DHPP, and ferulic acid supplemented groups than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that the hesperetin metabolites played as potent a role as hesperetin in plasma lipid-lowering activities in vivo, and further suggest that cholesterol biosynthesis and esterification were concomitantly reduced by hesperetin and its metabolites, as indicated by the decreased HMG-CoA reductase and ACAT activities.

The in-vitro influence of serum amyloid A isoforms on enzymes that regulate the balance between esterified and un-esterified cholesterol

The intracellular balance between un-esterified and esterified cholesterol is regulated by two enzyme activities, cholesterol ester hydrolases, which drive the balance in favor of un-esterified cholesterol, and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyl transferase (ACAT) which acts in the opposite direction. During acute inflammation apo-serum amyloid A (apoSAA) isoforms 1.1 and 2.1 become major constituents of high density lipoprotein and this complex is internalized by macrophages. Mixtures of the two isoforms have been shown to enhance cholesterol esterase activity. Using a purified form of the pancreatic enzyme we have explored the mechanism by which apoSAA may accomplish this stimulation. The pancreatic esterase cleaves cholesteryl-oleate with a Km of 0.255 mM, releasing both cholesterol and oleate. Cholesterol exhibits a product inhibition which is relieved by isoform 2.1 but not 1.1 nor apolipoprotein A-I. The NH2-terminal 16 residues of isoform 2.1 had no effect on the esterase, but the 80 residue peptide constituting its COOH-terminus possessed the stimulatory property. Purified isoforms 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, apolipoprotein A-I, the NH2-terminal 16 residues and COOH-terminal 80 residues of isoform 2.1 were also examined for their effects on macrophage ACAT activity. Isoforms 2.1 and 2.2 produced dose dependent inhibitions of up to 50%, (p<0.001). Isoform 1.1, and apoA-I had no effect on ACAT activity. The NH2-terminal 16 residue peptide of isoform 2.1 reduced the ACAT activity in a dose dependent manner by 74% (p<0.001), whereas the COOH-terminal 80 residues, in contrast to its enhancing effect on the esterase, had no inhibitory effect on ACAT. Such complementary but opposite effects of isoform 2.1 on ACAT and the esterase are consistent with a role for this protein in shifting the balance between unesterified (transportable) and esterified (storage) forms of cholesterol in favor of the latter. They suggest that apoSAA2.1 may mediate cholesterol mobilization at sites of tissue injury.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid mixture affects the activity of intestinal acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase in hamsters

The present study was designed to study the mechanisms by which dietary conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) decrease serum cholesterol. Hamsters were fed a semi-synthetic diet containing 1 g cholesterol/kg diet with or without supplementation with 20 g linoleic acid (LA) and 20 g CLA/kg diet. After 8 weeks, serum fasting total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG) were significantly lower in the LA-supplemented and CLA-supplemented groups compared with those of the control (CTL) hamsters. In contrast to LA, CLA significantly lowered hepatic cholesterol but it increased the level of adipose tissue cholesterol, suggesting that the hypocholesterolaemic mechanism of CLA is different from that of LA. CLA decreased the activity of intestinal acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) whereas LA had no effect on this enzyme. Consequently, CLA supplementation increased the faecal excretion of total neutral sterols, but it had no or little effect on the faecal acidic sterols. If the ACAT is associated with cholesterol absorption, the part of mechanisms by which CLA decreases serum cholesterol may involve down-regulation of intestinal ACAT activity.

Different effect of simvastatin and atorvastatin on key enzymes involved in VLDL synthesis and catabolism in high fat/cholesterol fed rabbits

The effects of atorvastatin (3 mg kg(-1)) and simvastatin (3 mg kg(-1)) on hepatic enzyme activities involved in very low density lipoprotein metabolism were studied in coconut oil/cholesterol fed rabbits. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased 19 and 4 fold, respectively, after 7 weeks of feeding. Treatment with statins during the last 4 weeks of feeding abolished the progression of hypercholesterolaemia and reduced plasma triglyceride levels. 3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl Coenzyme A reductase, acylcoenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase, phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and diacylglycerol acyltransferase activities were not affected by drug treatment. Accordingly, hepatic free cholesterol, cholesteryl ester and triglyceride content were not modified. Simvastatin treatment caused an increase (72%) in lipoprotein lipase activity without affecting hepatic lipase activity. Atorvastatin caused a reduction in hepatic phospholipid content and a compensatory increase in CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyl transferase activity. The results presented in this study suggest that, besides the inhibitory effect on 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl Coenzyme A reductase, simvastatin and atorvastatin may have additional effects that contribute to their triglyceride-lowering ability.

Activation of acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase: redistribution in microsomal fragments of cholesterol and its facilitated movement by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin

Acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) (EC 2.3.1.26) in the yolk sac membrane of chicken eggs plays an important role in the transport of lipids, which serve as both structural components and as an energy source during embryogenesis. ACAT from the yolk sac membrane of chicken eggs 16 d after fertilization has higher activity and better stability than its mammalian liver counterpart. During our study of the avian enzyme, ACAT was found to be activated up to twofold during storage at 4 degrees C. The activation was investigated, and data suggest that redistribution of cholesterol within microsomal vesicles leads to the increase. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD) increases activation an additional twofold, possibly by facilitating the movement of cholesterol within microsomal fragments and allowing redistribution of cholesterol in lipid bilayers to a greater extent. Treatment of microsomes with MbetaCD removes cholesterol from the membranes. Controlled amounts of cholesterol can be restored to the membranes by mixing them with cholesterol-phosphatidylcholine liposomes in the presence of MbetaCD. Under these conditions, the plot of ACAT vs. cholesterol mole fraction in the liposomes is sigmoidal. The finding that MbetaCD can enhance cholesterol transfer between liposomes and microsomes and reduce the limitation of slow movement of nonpolar molecules in aqueous media should make cyclodextrins more useful in in vitro studies of apolar molecule transport between membrane vesicles.

Altered regulation of cholesterol and cholesteryl ester synthesis in Chinese-hamster ovary cells overexpressing the oxysterol-binding protein is dependent on the pleckstrin homology domain

Oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP) is a high-affinity receptor for a variety of oxysterols, such as 25-hydroxycholesterol, that down-regulate cholesterol synthesis and stimulate cholesterol esterification. To examine a potential role for OSBP in regulating cholesterol metabolism, we stably overexpressed this protein in Chinese-hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells. Compared with mock-transfected controls, several cell lines overexpressing wild-type OSBP (CHO-OSBP) displayed a 50% decrease in cholesteryl ester synthesis when cultured in medium with delipidated serum, 25-hydroxycholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL). CHO-OSBP cells showed a 40-60% decrease in acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activity and mRNA, a 50% elevation in mRNA for three sterol-regulated genes [LDL receptor, 3-hydroxy-3-methylgluraryl (HMG)-CoA reductase and HMG-CoA synthase], and an 80% increase in [14C]acetate incorporation into cholesterol. CHO-K1 cells overexpressing two OSBP mutants with a complete or N-terminal deletion of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain had cholesterol esterification and synthesis rates that were similar to those shown by mock-transfected controls. Unlike wild-type OSBP, both PH domain mutants displayed diffuse cytoplasmic immunofluorescence staining and did not translocate to the Golgi apparatus in the presence of 25-hydroxycholesterol. CHO-K1 cells overexpressing OSBP have pronounced alterations in cholesterol esterification and synthesis, indicating a potential role for this receptor in cholesterol homoeostasis. The phenotype observed in cells overexpressing OSBP is dependent on the PH domain, which appears to be necessary for ligand-dependent localization of OSBP to the Golgi apparatus.

Effect of micellar beta-sitosterol on cholesterol metabolism in CaCo-2 cells

CaCo-2 cells were used to address the effect of the plant sterol, beta-sitosterol, on cholesterol trafficking, cholesterol metabolism, and apoB secretion. Compared to cells incubated with micelles (5 mM taurocholate and 250 microM oleic acid) containing cholesterol, which caused an increase in the influx of plasma membrane cholesterol to the endoplasmic reticulum and increased the secretion of cholesteryl esters derived from the plasma membrane, beta-sitosterol did not alter cholesterol trafficking or cholesteryl ester secretion. Including beta-sitosterol in the micelle together with cholesterol attenuated the influx of plasma membrane cholesterol and prevented the secretion of cholesteryl esters derived from the plasma membrane. Stigmasterol and campesterol had effects similar to beta-sitosterol, although campesterol did not promote a modest influx of plasma membrane cholesterol. Including beta-sitosterol in the micelle with cholesterol decreased the uptake of cholesterol. Compared to cholesterol, 60% less beta-sitosterol was taken up by CaCo-2 cells. No observable esterification of beta-sitosterol was appreciated and the transport of the plant sterol to the basolateral medium was negligible. Cholesterol synthesis and HMG-CoA reductase activities were decreased in cells incubated with beta-sitosterol. This was associated with a decrease in reductase mass and mRNA levels. Cholesteryl ester synthesis and ACAT activities were unaltered by beta-sitosterol. Both stigmasterol and campesterol decreased reductase activity, but only campesterol increased ACAT activity. beta-sitosterol did not affect the secretion of apoB mass. The results suggest that beta-sitosterol does not promote cholesterol trafficking from the plasma membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum. beta-sitosterol interferes with the uptake of micellar cholesterol causing less plasma membrane cholesterol to influx and less cholesteryl ester to be secreted. Despite its lack of effect on cholesterol trafficking, beta-sitosterol decreases cholesterol synthesis at the level of HMG-CoA reductase gene expression.

Effect of exogenous cholesterol and dithiothreitol on the activity of human liver microsomal acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT)

Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is the intracellular enzyme responsible for the esterification of cholesterol with long-chain fatty acyl-CoA derivatives and has been implicated in atherosclerosis and gallstone disease. The effects of exogenous cholesterol and dithiothreitol (DTT) on the ACAT activity of human liver microsomes have been determined. Pre-incubation of microsomes with exogenous cholesterol gave a marked stimulation of activity. Experiments with [3H]cholesterol and [14C]oleoyl-CoA indicated the time course of equilibration of exogenous with endogenous cholesterol as ACAT substrates, and showed that ACAT activity could be accurately measured using [3H]cholesterol/Tween 80, providing that the concentration of endogenous microsomal cholesterol was also determined. Pre-incubation of liver microsomes for 90 min in the presence of 2 mmol/l DTT and exogenous cholesterol/Tween 80 resulted in a 60% reduction in ACAT activity, compared with the corresponding activity when DTT was omitted. If microsomes were pre-incubated with DTT prior to the pre-incubation with exogenous cholesterol/Tween 80, an 85-90% reduction in ACAT activity occurred. In contrast, pre-incubation of microsomes with DTT in the absence of exogenous cholesterol/Tween 80 (only endogenous cholesterol present) resulted, initially in a stimulation of ACAT activity; on further pre-incubation, activity returned to control levels. These results indicate that the supply of cholesterol to the enzyme active site is an important factor in ACAT assays in vitro and that DTT has a major effect on this process, suggesting that these factors may be important in controlling ACAT activity in vivo.

Activation of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity by cholesterol is not due to altered mRNA levels in HepG2 cells

Many studies have shown that sterols can stimulate acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity in cells. To elucidate this mechanism, effects of sterol-mediated induction on both the enzyme activity of ACAT and its mRNA levels were studied in human hepatoblastoma cell line, HepG2 cells. When HepG2 cells were loaded with cholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol, both the whole-cell ACAT activity and the microsomal ACAT activity were increased by 85.1% and 41.3%. In contrast, cholesterol depletion of HepG2 cells with compactin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, resulted in a decrease in both the whole-cell and the microsomal ACAT activity by 46.4% and 58.3%. Under identical conditions, RT-PCR and Northern blotting analyses revealed that neither cholesterol loading nor cholesterol depletion of HepG2 cells altered the amounts of ACAT mRNA. Moreover, these treatments had no effect on the enzymatic ACAT activity determined by the reconstituted assay in which HepG2 cell homogenate had been supplemented in vitro with a saturating level of exogenous cholesterol. These results indicate that cholesterol-induced up-regulation of ACAT activity in HepG2 cells does not occur at the level of transcription, but rather at a posttranscriptional level.

Functional lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency and high density lipoprotein deficiency in transgenic mice overexpressing human apolipoprotein A-II

The concentration of high density lipoproteins (HDL) is inversely related to the risk of atherosclerosis. The two major protein components of HDL are apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and apoA-II. To study the role of apoA-II in lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis, we have developed three lines of C57BL/6 transgenic mice expressing human apoA-II (lines 25.3, 21.5, and 11.1). Northern blot experiments showed that human apoA-II mRNA was present only in the liver of transgenic mice. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis demonstrated a 17.4-kDa human apoA-II in the HDL fraction of the plasma of transgenic mice. After 3 months on a regular chow, the plasma concentrations of human apoA-II were 21 +/- 4 mg/dl in the 25.3 line, 51 +/- 6 mg/dl in the 21.5 line, and 74 +/- 4 mg/dl in the 11.1 line. The concentration of cholesterol in plasma was significantly lower in transgenic mice than in control mice because of a decrease in HDL cholesterol that was greatest in the line that expressed the most apoA-II (23 mg/dl in the 11.1 line versus 63 mg/dl in control mice). There was also a reduction in the plasma concentration of mouse apoA-I (32 +/- 2, 56 +/- 9, 91 +/- 7, and 111 +/- 2 mg/dl for lines 11.1, 21.5, 25.3, and control mice, respectively) that was inversely correlated with the amount of human apoA-II expressed. Additional changes in plasma lipid/lipoprotein profile noted in line 11.1 that expressed the highest level of human apoA-II include elevated triglyceride, increased proportion of total plasma, and HDL free cholesterol and a marked (>10-fold) reduction in mouse apoA-II. Total endogenous plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was reduced to a level directly correlated with the degree of increased plasma human apoA-II in the transgenic lines. LCAT activity toward exogenous substrate was, however, only slightly decreased. The biochemical changes in the 11.1 line, which is markedly deficient in plasma apoA-I, an activator for LCAT, are reminiscent of those in patients with partial LCAT deficiency. Feeding the transgenic mice a high fat, high cholesterol diet maintained the mouse apoA-I concentration at a normal level (69 +/- 14 mg/dl in line 11.1 compared with 71 +/- 6 mg/dl in nontransgenic controls) and prevented the appearance of HDL deficiency. All this happened in the presence of a persistently high plasma human apoA-II (96 +/- 14 mg/dl). Paradoxical HDL elevation by high fat diets has been observed in humans and is reproduced in human apoA-II overexpressing transgenic mice but not in control mice. Finally, HDL size and morphology varied substantially in the three transgenic lines, indicating the importance of apoA-II concentration in the modulation of HDL formation. The LCAT and HDL deficiencies observed in this study indicate that apoA-II plays a dynamic role in the regulation of plasma HDL metabolism.

FCE 27677: a novel inhibitor of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase with potent oral hypolipidemic activity

FCE 27677 ([(-)N-[2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl]-N'-[(4R,5R)-2- (4-dimethylaminophenyl)-4,5 dimethyl-dioxolan-2-yl]methylurea) is a new systemically available ACAT inhibitor belonging to the class of ketalic disubstituted ureas. When tested in microsomes from rabbit intestine, aorta and liver, it inhibited the enzyme with IC50 of 9.31, 6.99 and 92.2 nM, respectively. It had no effect on plasma LCAT and intestinal cytosolic cholesterol esterases and, when tested in a tissue culture system, it did not interfere with the synthesis of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids. Enzyme inhibition kinetics indicated that FCE 27677 is a non-competitive inhibitor of the enzyme with respect to acylCoA and to cholesterol. When administered mixed to a 1.5% cholesterol and 0.5% sodium cholate-enriched diet to rats, it prevented the development of hypercholesterolemia with ED50 of 0.35 mg kg-1 day-1. Given in a single oral dose to hypercholesterolemic rats it significantly reduced both the plasma lipid levels and the hepatic cholesteryl ester content within 6 h from gavage. VLDL and LDL levels and composition were also significantly affected. Similar effects were observed when the drug was given mixed to a regular chow diet for 4 weeks to hypercholesterolemic rabbits. These results are consistent with the idea that systemically available ACAT inhibitors can affect the composition and the metabolism of the atherogenic cholesteryl ester-rich VLDL and LDL. ACAT inhibitors appear promising for the correction of dyslipoproteinemias secondary to lipoprotein overproduction, and in reducing the atherogenic index of apoB-100 containing lipoproteins.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced HL-60 macrophages: regulation of cholesterol and LDL metabolism

Differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (D3) results in macrophages which exhibit specific and saturable receptor-mediated processing of both native and modified low density lipoprotein (LDL). Analysis of binding kinetics demonstrated that macrophages bind LDL and acetyl-LDL with similar affinities, yet possess significantly different numbers of receptors (55 +/- 6 x 10(3) LDL receptors/cell vs 79 +/- 7 x 10(3) acetyl-LDL receptors/cell). D3-induced HL-60 macrophages challenged with LDL or acetyl-LDL exhibited suppression of HMG-CoA reductase activity as well as a significant induction in the incorporation of [14C]oleate into cholesteryl ester compared with macrophages incubated with lipoprotein depleted serum. Maximum increases in ACAT activity were obtained in macrophages incubated with 25-hydroxycholesterol plus LDL or acetyl-LDL. The increase in ACAT activity in macrophages challenged with acetyl-LDL paralleled the increase in cellular cholesterol content and the increase of oil red O lipid stainable material, imparting the macrophages with a foamy appearance. The data indicate that D3-induced HL-60 macrophages are a useful model for the study of lipoprotein--macrophage interactions as related to foam cell development and atherogenesis.

Hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effects of a novel ACAT inhibitor, HL-004, in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

The hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effects of a novel acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, HL-004, were studied in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). SHRSP were administered 0.01-0.09% HL-004 mixed in a hypercholesterolemic (HC) diet for 50 days. HL-004 reduced the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum, as well as those in the liver, small intestine, and aorta, in a dose-dependent manner. HC diet-induced severe fat deposition in the mesenteric arteries, which is characteristic of SHRSP, was also decreased by HL-004. The ACAT activity of the small intestine and liver was decreased by HL-004. In particular, liver ACAT activity was significantly low in SHRSP given 0.09% HL-004, compared to that of normal animals. These results suggest that HL-004 is a systemic ACAT inhibitor and that the ACAT inhibition in the intestine, liver, and aorta is involved in the hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effects of HL-004.

Effect of pravastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, on hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase, and bile lipid secretion in the hamster with intact enterohepatic circulation

The effects of administration of pravastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, on hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase and acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activities and bile lipid secretion were investigated in Syrian golden hamsters. Continuous administration of pravastatin induced no significant changes in hepatic cholesterol content, ACAT and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities, or bile lipid and acid composition. Abrupt withdrawal of pravastatin induced increases in hepatic cholesterol content and ACAT activity and no change in hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity, and increased cholesterol saturation in bile. Hepatic cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity paralleled hepatic mRNA levels of this enzyme. These results suggest that a change in hepatic cholesterol metabolism induced by continuous administration of pravastatin maintains a constant net balance of hepatic cholesterol content. In addition, the drug has no deleterious influence on metabolism of bile lipids and acids and related enzymes, except for a transient increase in cholesterol saturation in bile induced by an inappropriate increase in hepatic cholesterol content and a lack of response of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity to changes in hepatic cholesterol content upon abrupt withdrawal of pravastatin.

The effects of clofibrate and bezafibrate on cholesterol metabolism in the liver of the male rat

Fibric acid derivatives are used to treat hyperlipidemia and have wide ranging effects on lipid metabolism. The action of these compounds on cholesterol esterification, catalyzed by acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), has been quite widely studied, but their effect on cholesteryl ester hydrolysis and the enzyme neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase (nCEH) has been largely ignored. Male rats were therefore fed for 10 d on a standard chow diet supplemented with either clofibrate or bezafibrate, to study their effects on plasma lipid levels and hepatic cholesterol metabolism. Plasma triacylglycerols were not significantly altered by these diets, but bezafibrate significantly lowered plasma cholesterol levels (29.7%, P < 0.01). When expressed per unit weight of DNA, both fibrates reduced the hepatic content of triacylglycerol, cholesterol and cholesteryl esters (40, 18.7, 16.5 and 66.7, 28.6, 34.2% for clofibrate and bezafibrate, respectively). ACAT activity was significantly reduced by both drugs, but clofibrate (65% inhibition) was more effective than bezafibrate (35% inhibition). The most dramatic effect of the diets was a marked increase in the activity of both the microsomal and the cytosolic nCEH. When expressed on a whole liver basis, the effect of bezafibrate on the cytosolic enzyme (13.6-fold increase in activity) was much greater than that of clofibrate (4.8-fold increase). Increases in the activity of a cytosolic protein that inhibits the activity of nCEH were also noted, but these changes were relatively small. The results suggest that the activation of nCEH, in combination with the inhibition in ACAT activity, contributes to a decrease in the cholesteryl ester content of the liver which may influence the secretion of very low density lipoprotein.

Pathogenesis of cholesteryl lipidosis of adrenocortical and ovarian interstitial cells in F344 rats caused by tricresyl phosphate and butylated triphenyl phosphate

Triaryl phosphates including tricresyl phosphate (TCP) and butylated triphenyl phosphate (BTP) are organophosphates used in the commercial manufacture of plastics, lubricants, and hydraulic fluids. Rat steroidogenic tissues such as adrenocortical (AC), ovarian interstitial (OI), and Leydig cells use an intracellular pathway to store cholesterol (substrate for biosynthesis of steroid hormones) as cholesteryl ester (CE). This pathway and the pathway for uptake of serum cholesterol are less used in Leydig cells of the adult male rat, resulting in a lower CE pool. BTP and TCP caused cholesteryl lipidosis in steroid hormone-synthesizing AC and OI, but not Leydig cells in the adult rat. The objectives of this study were to determine if the administration of triaryl phosphate fluids caused a defect in the cholesterol storage pathway of AC and OI cells and to determine the mechanism of action. Female rats received daily oral doses of 0 or 0.4 g/kg TCP in sesame oil vehicle or 1.7 g/kg neat BTP for 40 days. Adrenal glands from both treatment groups and ovaries from TCP-treated rats were heavier than controls. Microscopic and biochemical studies revealed cholesteryl lipidosis composed of CE in the adrenal glands and ovaries in BTP- and TCP-treated rats with the latter group affected most severely. The activity of neutral CE hydrolase (nCEH), an enzyme that converts CE to cholesterol in the uptake and storage pathways, also was inhibited most in the TCP-treated group (97% inhibition compared to that of control). The activity of acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyl transferase, an enzyme that esterifies cholesterol to make CE, was depressed 27% compared to that of control adrenal glands of the TCP group, resulting in elevated intracellular cholesterol levels in AC cells. An inhibition of nCEH in the storage and uptake pathways by triaryl phosphates most likely resulted in the striking accumulation of CE in cytoplasmic lipid droplets of AC and OI cells in F344 rats.

On the mechanism of the hypolipidemic effect of sulfur-substituted hexadecanedioic acid (3-thiadicarboxylic acid) in normolipidemic rats

The mechanism behind the hypolipidemic effect of the sulfur-substituted non-beta-oxidizable fatty acid analogue 1,10 bis(carboxymethylthio)decane, also known as 3-thiadicarboxylic acid, was studied in normolipidemic rats. Treatment with 3-thiadicarboxylic acid markedly decreased plasma levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol. This was accompanied by a corresponding reduction in very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-triglyceride and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels (by 46% and 42%, respectively), whereas the decrease in high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels was less pronounced (16%). However, the composition of the various plasma lipoprotein fractions was essentially unchanged. Fatty acid oxidation in both mitochondria and peroxisomes was stimulated in parallel; the activities of ATP:citrate lyase and fatty acid synthase, two key enzymes in fatty acid synthesis, were inhibited. Hepatic triglyceride biosynthesis was retarded, as indicated by a decrease in the liver triglyceride content along with a 30% reduction of hepatic VLDL-triglyceride secretion. This was accompanied by a 50% inhibition of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase. The activities of plasma lipoprotein lipase as well as hepatic lipase were somewhat higher (18%) in treated animals, suggesting a slight increase in the clearance potential of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. The cholesterol-lowering effect was accompanied by a considerable reduction (75%) in HMG-CoA reductase activity and a less pronounced inhibition of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (52%), and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (25%) activities. The present data suggest that the hypotriglyceridemic and hypocholesterolemic properties of sulfur-substituted fatty acid analogues are primarily due to effects on triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis.

Fatty acid composition and properties of the liver microsomal membrane of rats fed diets enriched with cholesterol

Male rats were fed diets containing olive (OO) or evening primrose (EPO) oil (10% w/w), with or without added cholesterol (1% w/w). After 6-week feeding, the lipid and fatty acid compositions, fluidity, and fatty acid desaturating and cholesterol biosynthesis/esterification related enzymes of liver microsomes were determined. Both the OO and EPO diets, without added cholesterol, increased the contents of oleic and arachidonic acids, respectively, of rat liver microsomes. The results were consistent with the increases in delta 9 and delta 6 desaturation of n-6 essential fatty acids and the lower microviscosity in the EPO group. Dietary cholesterol led to an increase in the cholesterol content of liver microsomes as well as that of phosphatidylcholine (PC). The cholesterol/phospholipid and PC/PE (phosphatidylethanolamine) ratios were also elevated. Fatty acid composition changes were expressed as the accumulation of monounsaturated fatty acids, with accompanying milder depletion of saturated fatty acids in rat liver microsomes. In addition, the arachidonic acid content was lowered, with a concomitant increase in linoleic acid, which led to a significant decrease in the 20:4/18:2 ratio in comparison to in animals fed the cholesterol-free diets. Cholesterol feeding also increased delta 9 desaturase activity as well as membrane microviscosity, whereas it decreased delta 6 and delta 5 desaturase activities. There was a very strong correlation between fluidity and the unsaturation index reduction in the membrane. Furthermore, the activity of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase increased and the activity of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase decreased in liver microsomes from both cholesterol-fed groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ethanol and lipid metabolism. Differential effects on liver and brain microsomes

We have determined the effect of prolonged ethanol treatment on several enzyme activities related to lipid metabolism in chick-brain and liver microsomes. Ethanol increased microsome cholesterol levels in both organs. The treatment caused a marked increase in the hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and ACAT activities while in the brain a clear decrease was found in these enzyme activities. At the same time the activity of reacylation of phospholipids, was clearly modified in both brain and liver. Thus, while in the liver the turnover of acyl moieties of phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylinositol was enhanced by ethanol consumption, in the brain only the reacylation of phosphatidylserine increased to any significant extent. These results indicate that ethanol exerts a differential action in brain and liver, namely cholesterol synthesis and esterification decreased in brain and increased in chick liver. Ethanol also induces faster phospholipid metabolism in both brain and liver microsomes.