Influence of dietary lipids on hepatic mRNA levels of proteins regulating plasma lipoproteins in baboons with high and low levels of large high density lipoproteins.

Selective breeding of baboons has produced families with increased plasma levels of large high density lipoproteins (HDL1) and very low (VLDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins when the animals consume a diet enriched in cholesterol and saturated fat. High HDL1 baboons have a slower cholesteryl ester transfer, which may account for the accumulation of HDL1, but not of VLDL and LDL. To investigate the mechanism of accumulation of VLDL + LDL in plasma of the high HDL1 phenotype, we selected eight half-sib pairs of baboons, one member of each pair with high HDL1, the other member with little or no HDL1 on the same high cholesterol, saturated fat diet. Baboons were fed a chow diet and four experimental diets consisting of high and low cholesterol with corn oil, and high and low cholesterol with lard, each for 6 weeks, in a crossover design. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins and hepatic mRNA levels were measured on each diet. HDL1 phenotype, type of dietary fat, and dietary cholesterol affected plasma cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) B concentrations, whereas dietary fat alone affected plasma triglyceride and apoA-I concentrations. HDL1 phenotype and dietary cholesterol alone did not influence hepatic mRNA levels, whereas dietary lard, compared to corn oil, significantly increased hepatic apoE mRNA levels and decreased hepatic LDL receptor and HMG-CoA synthase mRNA levels. Hepatic apoA-I message was associated with cholesterol concentration in HDL fractions as well as with apoA-I concentrations in the plasma or HDL. However, hepatic apoB message level was not associated with plasma or LDL apoB levels. Total plasma cholesterol, including HDL, was negatively associated with hepatic LDL receptor and HMG-CoA synthase mRNA levels. However, compared with low HDL1 baboons, high HDL1 baboons had higher concentrations of LDL and HDL cholesterol at the same hepatic mRNA levels. These studies suggest that neither overproduction of apoB from the liver nor decreased hepatic LDL receptor levels cause the accumulation of VLDL and LDL in the plasma of high HDL1 baboons. These studies also show that, in spite of high levels of VLDL + LDL and HDL1, the high HDL1 baboons had higher levels of mRNA for LDL receptor and HMG-CoA synthase. This paradoxical relationship needs further study to understand the pathophysiology of VLDL and LDL accumulation in the plasma of animals with the high HDL1 phenotype.     

Polyunsaturated fatty acids up-regulate hepatic scavenger receptor B1 (SR-BI) expression and HDL cholesteryl ester uptake in the hamster.

Diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids lower plasma HDL cholesterol concentrations when compared to diets rich in saturated fatty acids. We investigated the mechanistic basis for this effect in the hamster and sought to determine whether reduced plasma HDL cholesterol concentrations resulting from a high polyunsaturated fat diet are associated with a decrease in reverse cholesterol transport. Animals were fed semisynthetic diets enriched with polyunsaturated or saturated fatty acids for 6 weeks. We then determined the effect of these diets on the following parameters: 1) hepatic scavenger receptor B1 (SR-BI) mRNA and protein levels, 2) the rate of hepatic HDL cholesteryl ester uptake, and 3) the rate of cholesterol acquisition by the extrahepatic tissues (from de novo synthesis, LDL and HDL) as a measure of the rate of reverse cholesterol transport. Compared to saturated fatty acids, dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids up-regulated hepatic SR-BI expression by approximately 50% and increased HDL cholesteryl ester transport to the liver; as a consequence, plasma HDL cholesteryl ester concentrations were reduced. Although dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids increased hepatic HDL cholesteryl ester uptake and lowered plasma HDL cholesterol concentrations, there was no change in the cholesterol content or in the rate of cholesterol acquisition (via de novo synthesis and lipoprotein uptake) by the extrahepatic tissues.These studies indicate that substitution of polyunsaturated for saturated fatty acids in the diet increases SR-BI expression and lowers plasma HDL cholesteryl ester concentrations but does not affect reverse cholesterol transport.     

Studies on the expression of genes encoding apolipoproteins B100 and B48 and the low density lipoprotein receptor in nonhuman primates. Comparison of dietary fat and cholesterol

African green monkeys were fed diets containing low and moderate cholesterol concentrations with either polyunsaturated or unsaturated fat as 40% of calories. Plasma total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and apoB concentrations generally were higher in animals fed (a) the higher dietary cholesterol concentration and (b) saturated fat. At necropsy, liver and intestine were removed, and measurement of mRNAs for LDL receptors (liver) and for apolipoprotein B (liver and intestine) was done. Monkey small intestine mucosa made exclusively apoB48 while the liver made only apoB100, although apoB mRNA in both tissues was the same size (14 kilobases). No dietary cholesterol or fat effects were found for apoB mRNA abundance in the liver, while the animals fed the higher dietary cholesterol level had 50% lower levels of hepatic LDL receptor mRNA. In a separate group of animals, livers were perfused and the rate of apoB secretion was measured. No dietary fat effect on apoB secretion rate was found, and no relationship between plasma LDL cholesterol concentration and the rate of hepatic apoB production existed. These findings support the idea that the dietary factors that increase LDL concentrations act by reducing clearance of apoB-containing particles rather than by increasing production of these lipoproteins. Hepatic LDL receptor mRNA was similar in abundance in polyunsaturated fat and saturated fat-fed animals, suggesting that the difference in plasma cholesterol concentration between these groups is not mediated via effects on LDL receptor mRNA abundance. The level of intestinal apoB mRNA was about 30% higher in animals fed the moderate dietary cholesterol concentration. Earlier studies have shown that more cholesterol is transported in chylomicrons from the intestine when dietary cholesterol levels are higher, and the increased intestinal apoB mRNA abundance may reflect increased intestinal cholesterol transport and chylomicron apoB48 production.     

In vivo regulation of hepatic LDL receptor mRNA in the baboon. Differential effects of saturated and unsaturated fat

The effects of diets enriched with cholesterol and different fats upon plasma lipoproteins and hepatic low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mRNA levels were studied in a group of 18 normal baboons. Animals were fed diets containing 1% cholesterol and 25% fat as either coconut oil, peanut oil, or olive oil for a period of 20 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, beta-lipoprotein (LDL + very low density lipoprotein) cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein A-I were measured in samples obtained at 4-week intervals. All three diet groups demonstrated a statistically significant increase in plasma cholesterol as compared to base line throughout the experiment. Hepatic LDL receptor (LDL-R) mRNA levels were quantified by dot blot hybridization in serial liver biopsies. Animals fed saturated fat sustained a significant reduction in hepatic LDL-R mRNA as compared to those fed either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat. A strong negative correlation between LDL-R mRNA and plasma total cholesterol (r = -0.71), HDL cholesterol (r = -0.76), and plasma apo A-I (r = -0.77) was observed only in those animals fed coconut oil. Weak negative correlations between LDL-R mRNA and other plasma parameters did not achieve statistical significance. We conclude that saturated and unsaturated oils may influence plasma cholesterol levels in part through differential effects on LDL receptor biosynthesis in baboons.     

Effects of dietary fats and cholesterol on liver lipid content and hepatic apolipoprotein A-I, B, and E and LDL receptor mRNA levels in cebus monkeys.

The effects of the long-term administration of the dietary fats coconut oil and corn oil at 31% of calories with or without 0.1% (wt/wt) dietary cholesterol on plasma lipoproteins, apolipoproteins (apo), hepatic lipid content, and hepatic apoA-I, apoB, apoE, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mRNA abundance were examined in 27 cebus monkeys. Relative to the corn oil-fed animals, no significant differences were noted in any of the parameters of the corn oil plus cholesterol-fed group. In animals fed coconut oil without cholesterol, significantly higher (P less than 0.05) plasma total cholesterol (145%), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) + LDL (201%) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) (123%) cholesterol, apoA-I (103%), apoB (61%), and liver cholesteryl ester (263%) and triglyceride (325%) levels were noted, with no significant differences in mRNA levels relative to the corn oil only group. In animals fed coconut oil plus cholesterol, all plasma parameters were significantly higher (P less than 0.05), as were hepatic triglyceride (563%) and liver apoA-I (123%) and apoB (87%) mRNA levels relative to the corn oil only group, while hepatic LDL receptor mRNA (-29%) levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.05). Correlation coefficient analyses performed on pooled data demonstrated that liver triglyceride content was positively associated (P less than 0.05) with liver apoA-I and apoB mRNA levels and negatively associated (P less than 0.01) with hepatic LDL receptor mRNA levels. Liver free and esterified cholesterol levels were positively correlated (P less than 0.05) with liver apoE mRNA levels and negatively correlated (P less than 0.025) with liver LDL receptor mRNA levels. Interestingly, while a significant correlation (P less than 0.01) was noted between hepatic apoA-I mRNA abundance and plasma apoA-I levels, no such relationship was observed between liver apoB mRNA and plasma apoB levels, suggesting that the hepatic mRNA of apoA-I, but not that of apoB, is a major determinant of the circulating levels of the respective apolipoprotein. Our data indicate that a diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol may increase the accumulation of triglyceride and cholesterol in the liver, each resulting in the suppression of hepatic LDL receptor mRNA levels. We hypothesize that such elevations in hepatic lipid content differentially alter hepatic apoprotein mRNA levels, with triglyceride increasing hepatic mRNA concentrations for apoA-I and B and cholesterol elevating hepatic apoE mRNA abundance.     

Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fat increases the fractional catabolic rate of medium-sized HDL particles in African green monkeys

We have previously described a novel pathway for the metabolism of HDL subfractions in which small [2 apolipoprotein (apoA-I) molecules per particle] HDL particles are converted in a unidirectional manner outside the plasma compartment to medium (3 apoA-I molecules per particle) or large (4 apoA-I molecules per particle) HDL particles, which are subsequently removed from the circulation by the liver (Colvin et al. 1999. J. Lipid Res. 40: 1782;-1792; Huggins et al. 2000. J. Lipid Res. 41: 384;-394). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the reduction in concentration of medium HDL in African green monkeys consuming n-3 polyunsaturated versus saturated fat diets resulted from decreased in vivo production or increased catabolism. Tracer small LpA-I (HDL containing only apoA-I) were isolated, without ultracentrifugation, by gel filtration and immunoaffinity chromatography and radiolabeled. After injection, the specific activity of apoA-I in small, medium, and large HDL was determined, and the kinetic data were analyzed using our previously published multicompartmental model for HDL subfraction metabolism. We found a significant reduction of apoA-I concentration in medium HDL in the animals fed n-3 polyunsaturated fat (31.2 +/- 0.7 mg/dl) compared with animals fed saturated fat (85.4 +/- 11.9 mg/dl; P = 0.002). The production rates of apoA-I in small, medium, and large HDL were similar in both diet groups; however, there was a significant increase in the fractional catabolic rate of apoA-I in medium HDL in the animals fed n-3 polyunsaturated fat (2.188 +/- 0.501 pools/day) compared with animals fed saturated fat (0.714 +/- 0.191 pools/day; P = 0.02).We conclude that n-3 polyunsaturated fat reduces HDL cholesterol concentration by increasing the fractional catabolic rate of medium-sized HDL particles in African green monkeys.     

Effects on plasma lipoproteins of monounsaturated, saturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet of African green monkeys

Work by other investigators has shown that an increase in dietary content of monounsaturated fatty acids can result in a decreased plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration. This observation, combined with the epidemiologic evidence that monounsaturated fat-rich diets are associated with decreased rates of death from coronary heart disease, suggests that inclusion of increased amounts of mono-unsaturated fat in the diet may be beneficial. The present study was carried out in a primate model, the African green monkey, to evaluate the effects of dietary monounsaturated fat on plasma lipoprotein cholesterol endpoints. Two study periods were carried out in which the fatty acid compositions of the experimental diets were varied. All diets contained 35% of calories as fat. In the first experimental period, a mixture of fats was used to set the dietary fatty acid composition to be approximately 50-60% of the desired fatty acid, either saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated (n-6). In the second experimental period, pure fats were used (palm oil, oleic acid-rich safflower oil, and linoleic acid-rich safflower oil) to maximize the difference in fatty acid composition. The effects of the more exaggerated dietary fatty acid differences of period 2 were similar to those that have been reported in humans. For the group fed the diet enriched in monounsaturated fat compared to saturated fat, whole plasma and LDL cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower while high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were not affected. For the group fed the diet enriched in polyunsaturated fat compared to saturated fat, both LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower than in the group fed saturated fat. LDL cholesterol concentrations were comparable in the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat groups and the percentage of cholesterol in LDL was lowest in the monounsaturated fat fed group. Trends were similar for the mixed fat diets, although no statistically significant differences in plasma lipoprotein endpoints could be attributed to monounsaturated fatty acids in this dietary comparison. Since effects on plasma lipoproteins similar to those seen in humans were identified in this primate model, relevant mechanisms for the effects of dietary fatty acids on lipoprotein endpoints related to coronary artery atherosclerosis, per se, can subsequently be examined.     

ApoA-II maintains HDL levels in part by inhibition of hepatic lipase. Studies In apoA-II and hepatic lipase double knockout mice.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels are inversely related to the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Apolipoprotein (apo) A-II is the second most abundant HDL apolipoprotein and apoA-II knockout mice show a 70% reduction in HDL cholesterol levels. There is also evidence, using human apoA-II transgenic mice, that apoA-II can prevent hepatic lipase-mediated HDL triglyceride hydrolysis and reduction in HDL size. These observations suggest the hypothesis that apoA-II maintains HDL levels, at least in part, by inhibiting hepatic lipase. To evaluate this, apoA-II knockout mice were crossbred with hepatic lipase knockout mice. Compared to apoA-II-deficient mice, in double knockout mice there were increased HDL cholesterol levels (57% in males and 60% in females), increased HDL size, and decreased HDL cholesteryl ester fractional catabolic rate. In vitro incubation studies of plasma from apoA-II knockout mice, which contains largely apoA-I HDL particles, showed active lipolysis of HDL triglyceride, whereas similar studies of plasma from apoA-I knockout mice, which contains largely apoA-II particles, did not. In summary, these results strongly suggest that apoA-II is a physiological inhibitor of hepatic lipase and that this is at least part of the mechanism whereby apoA-II maintains HDL cholesterol levels.     

Spur cells in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis are associated with reduced plasma levels of apoA-II, HDL3, and LDL

The precise nature and origin(s) of the abnormalities in lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profile associated with severe hepatic dysfunction and the presence of spur cells remain poorly defined. To shed light on this question, we have analyzed the plasma lipoprotein and apolipoprotein profiles in five patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and spur cells, and compared them with those of a group with similar hepatocellular dysfunction, but lacking spur cells, and with that of a control group. Lipoproteins were subfractionated by density gradient ultracentrifugation and their physicochemical properties were determined; apolipoprotein A-I, A-II, and B contents in plasma and the respective subfractions were quantitated by radial immunodiffusion, while the complement of low molecular weight apolipoproteins in each subfraction was analyzed by isoelectric focusing and electrophoresis in alkaline-urea polyacrylamide gels. Spur cell plasma was distinguished by reduced levels of apoA-II and elevated ratios of apoA-I/apoA-II (approximately 13:1 as compared to 3.3-3.9:1 in the other two groups), and by reduced concentrations of HDL3. Gradient fractionation showed the apoA-II content of HDL3 to be dramatically and significantly diminished in spur cell plasma; in addition, apoA-II content was reduced relative to apoA-I in this subclass (4.7:1 as compared to 1:1 in cirrhotics lacking spur cells and 1.9:1 in controls). Spur cell HDL2 was similarly deficient in apoA-II, with elevated ratios of apoA-I:apoA-II (9.8:1 in comparison with 1.9-2.5:1 in the two other groups). Nonetheless, high HDL2 concentrations were seen in both series of cirrhotic patients, irrespective of red cell morphology. Spur cell HDL2 thus appears to consist primarily of particles possessing only apoA-I, with a minor population containing both apoA-I and apoA-II. The free cholesterol content of all lipoprotein subfractions from spur cell plasma was increased, as indeed was the molar ratio of free cholesterol to phospholipid, in comparison with that of corresponding fractions from alcoholic cirrhotics lacking spur cells and of control subjects. LDL levels were reduced in spur cell plasma, thereby distinguishing this group from the cirrhotics without spur cells who displayed elevated LDL levels. Markedly reduced plasma levels of apoA-II, HDL3, and LDL appear characteristic of alcoholic cirrhotics presenting with spur cells. Our findings suggest that apoA-II may be essential to the normal function and metabolism of HDL, one aspect of which may be the transport of free cholesterol and thereby the direct or indirect maintenance of red cell morphology.     

Hepatic and adipose tissue lipogenic enzyme mRNA levels are suppressed by high fat diets in the rat

Small changes in lipogenic enzyme activity induced by dietary fats of different composition may, over the long term, have significant impact on the development of obesity. We have investigated the effect of high fat diets (45% of calories as fat) on abundance of mRNA encoding fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. When caloric intake was equal, the relative amount of hepatic FAS mRNA was greater in rats fed a saturated compared to a polyunsaturated fat diet. This difference could not be attributed to diet-induced changes in plasma insulin concentration. However, both fat diets suppressed hepatic FAS mRNA compared to a sucrose diet. Close correlation between FAS specific activity and the relative amount of mRNA suggested that regulation was mainly at a pre-translational level. Adipose tissue FAS mRNA was suppressed by the two fat diets equally while GPDH mRNA was unaffected by dietary composition. Retroperitoneal fat pads were significantly larger in rats fed saturated compared to those fed polyunsaturated fat for 26 weeks. We concluded that dietary saturated fats fail to suppress hepatic de novo lipogenesis as effectively as polyunsaturated fats, which may have implications for the prevention of obesity in humans.     

High density lipoprotein accumulation in perfusates of isolated livers of African green monkeys. Effects of saturated versus polyunsaturated dietary fat

To determine whether altered hepatic secretion of HDL is part of the mechanism by which polyunsaturated fat lowers plasma HDL concentration, we have studied HDL secretion in the isolated perfused livers of African green monkeys fed an atherogenic diet containing either safflower oil as the polyunsaturated fat or butter as the saturated fat. During recirculating perfusion with a lipoprotein-free medium, livers from safflower oil-fed animals produced 21% less HDL mass on the average than those from butter-fed animals. Newly secreted hepatic HDL were characterized after their isolation and subfractionation by a combination of agarose column chromatography and density gradient ultracentrifugation. In both diet groups the HDL were heterogeneous in size, morphology, and composition and consisted of discoidal particles ranging in diameter from greater than 200 A to as little as 50 A. Large, discoidal particles that were rich in apoE and apoA-I were separated from small particles that were poor in apoE but rich in apoA-I. All hepatic HDL subfractions contained only small amounts of cholesteryl ester and triglyceride. The hepatic particles resembled in composition and structure the large variety of HDL particles found in the plasma of patients with the familial deficiency of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase. Accordingly, perfusate LCAT activity was measured and found to be 2% or less than that in monkey plasma. We conclude that the perfused monkey liver produces a variety of nascent HDL that are relatively unmodified by the post-secretory metabolic events which normally occur in blood plasma in vivo, and that livers of polyunsaturated fat-fed monkeys secrete fewer plasma HDL precursor particles than do those of saturated fat-fed monkeys.     

Reduction of cholesterol absorption by dietary oleinate and fish oil in African green monkeys.

To determine whether diets enriched in monounsaturated or n-3 fatty acids cause a reduction in cholesterol absorption relative to those more enriched in saturated fatty acids, we measured cholesterol absorption in 18 African green monkeys fed diets enriched in lard, oleinate (oleic acid-rich safflower oil), or fish oil at two levels of dietary cholesterol (0.05 vs. 0.77 mg/kcal). All animals were initially challenged with the lard, high cholesterol diet to ascertain their responsiveness to dietary cholesterol. Based on the results of this challenge, low versus high responders were equally distributed in assignation to the low (n = 6) and high (n = 12) cholesterol regimens. Within each level of dietary cholesterol animals consumed all three dietary fats in random sequences during three experimental phases each lasting 9-12 months with a monkey chow washout period between each phase, so that each animal served as its own control. During each dietary phase measurements of plasma lipids and cholesterol absorption were performed. The animals fed the higher versus lower level of dietary cholesterol had significantly higher plasma total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations and lower percentage cholesterol absorption; high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were not affected by the level of dietary cholesterol. Dietary fish oil resulted in a 20-30% reduction (P less than 0.01) in total plasma and LDL cholesterol and a 30-40% reduction (P less than 0.01) in HDL cholesterol concentrations compared to lard and oleinate regardless of the level of dietary cholesterol. At the high level of cholesterol intake, the oleinate and fish oil diets resulted in significantly lower percentage cholesterol absorption compared to the lard fat diet (35 +/- 2%, 34 +/- 3%, 41 +/- 4%, respectively). At the lower level of dietary cholesterol, percentage cholesterol absorption values were higher than those at the high cholesterol intake (45-52% vs. 34-41%) but were not affected by the type of dietary fat. There was a significant positive correlation between plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations and percentage cholesterol absorption for the oleinate and lard diets at the high level of dietary cholesterol and a significant inverse association between plasma HDL cholesterol and percentage cholesterol absorption. We conclude that the type of dietary fat can influence cholesterol absorption in African green monkeys and that oleinate and fish oil reduce cholesterol absorption relative to lard when a high amount of cholesterol (0.77 mg/kcal) is present in the diet.     

Dietary palmitic acid (16:0) enhances high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein receptor mRNA abundance in hamsters

In order to examine the qualitative effect of different fats and specific fatty acids on plasma lipids and lipoprotein metabolism, six low fat, cholesterol-free diets were fed to young male hamsters (10/group) for a 4-week period. Fat blends were formulated with coconut oil, palm oil, soybean oil, high oleic acid safflower oil, butter, corn oil, and canola oil. Diets contained 13% energy as fat and dietary polyunsaturate/saturate ratios ranged from 0.12 to 1.04, one of which incorporated the American Heart Association-recommended concentrations of saturates, monoenes, and polyenes and another reflected the current American Fat Blend. In three diets the polyunsaturate/monounsaturate/saturate ratio was held constant while only the 12:0, 14:0, and 16:0 were varied. Plasma lipoproteins and apoproteins were assessed in conjunction with the abundance of specific hepatic and intestinal mRNA for the low density lipoproteins (LDL) receptor and various apolipoproteins associated with cholesterol metabolism. The plasma cholesterol response was lowest with the American Heart Association blend and equally elevated by the more saturated, low polyene diets (polyunsaturate/saturate, 0.12-0.38). Replacing 12:0 plus 14:0 from coconut oil with 16:0 as palm oil induced a significant increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol with a trend toward decreased LDL. These shifts in lipoprotein cholesterol were corroborated by measures of the LDL/HDL ratio, the plasma apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 ratio, and differences in the synthesis of apolipoproteins and the LDL receptor based on estimates of the mRNA for these proteins in the liver and gut, using specific cDNA probes for apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein E, and the LDL receptor. Although it has been suggested that dietary polyenes lower total plasma cholesterol, including HDL, and that saturated fat increases both these pools of cholesterol, the current data represents the first evidence that a specific saturated fatty acid, i.e., palmitic acid, may enhance HDL production.     

Effects of a low fat diet with and without intermittent saturated fat and cholesterol ingestion on plasma lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein levels in normal volunteers

Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol are recommended to the American public for improving plasma lipoprotein patterns and reducing the risk of heart disease. However, since dietary intake cannot always be controlled, the effects of different degrees of dietary saturated fat lowering and occasional high saturated fat and cholesterol meals on the expected lipoprotein pattern improvement of these diets needs to be defined. In the current study, we compared lipid, lipoprotein, and apolipoprotein levels in 14 young normal volunteers on a metabolic ward when they were consuming a high saturated fat diet (42% fat), an AHA Phase II diet (25% fat), and a third diet which approximated the AHA Phase I diet (30% fat). The latter actually consisted of intermittent ingestion of meals high in saturated fat and cholesterol on the background of an AHA Phase II diet (Intermittent Saturated Fat diet). When compared to the high saturated fat diet, the AHA Phase II diet significantly reduced total, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apoB, and apoA-I levels, and improved the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio, whereas the intermittent saturated fat diet lowered total and LDL cholesterol and apoB levels, and also improved the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio. When compared to the AHA Phase II diet, the intermittent saturated fat diet raised total and HDL cholesterol levels. Thus, in these normal volunteers, intermittent saturated fat ingestion, in the context of an overall 30% fat diet and a 25% fat diet, did not differ with respect to the effect on improving the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio.     

Expression of human apolipoprotein A-II and its effect on high density lipoproteins in transgenic mice.

Apolipoproteins A-I and A-II comprise approximately 70 and 20%, respectively, of the total protein content of HDL. Evidence suggests that apoA-I plays a central role in determining the structure and plasma concentration of HDL, while the role of apoA-II is uncertain. To help define the function of apoA-II and determine what effect increasing its plasma concentration has on HDL, transgenic mice expressing human apoA-II and both human apoA-I and human apoA-II were produced. Human apoA-II mRNA is expressed exclusively in the livers of transgenic animals, and the protein exists as a dimer as it does in humans. High level expression of human apoA-II did not increase HDL concentrations or decrease plasma concentrations of murine apoA-I and apoA-II in contrast to what was observed in mice overexpressing human apoA-I. The primary effect of overexpressing human apoA-II was the appearance of small HDL particles composed exclusively of human apoA-II. HDL from mice transgenic for both human apoA-I and human apoA-II displayed a unique size distribution when compared with either apoA-I or apoA-II transgenic mice and contain particles with both these human apolipoproteins. These results in mice, indicating that human apoA-II participates in determining HDL size, parallel results from human studies.     

Effect of the human plasma apolipoproteins and phosphatidylcholine acyl donor on the activity of lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase.

The human plasma apoproteins apoA-I and apoC-I enhanced the activity of partially purified lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase five to tenfold with chemically defined phosphatidylcholine:cholesterol single bilayer vesicles as substrates. By contrast, apoproteins apoA-II, apoC-II, and apoC-III did not give any enhancement of enzyme activity. The activation by apoA-I and apoC-I differed, depending upon the nature of the hydrocarbon chains of phosphatidylcholine acyl donor. ApoA-I was most effective with a phosphatidylcholine containing an unsaturated fatty acyl chain. ApoC-I activated LCAT to the same extent with both saturated and unsaturated phosphatidylcholine substrates. Two of the four peptides obtained by cyanogen bromide cleavage of apoA-I retained some ability to activate LCAT. The efficacy of each of these peptides was approximately 25% that of the whole protein. Cyanogen bromide fragments of apoC-I were inactive. The apoproteins from HDL, HDL2, and HDL3, at low protein concentrations, were equally effective as activators of LCATand less effective than apoA-I. Higher concentrations of apoHDL, apoHDL2, and apoHDL3 inhibited LCAT activity. ApoC and apoA-II were both found to inhibit the activation of LCAT by apoA-I. The inhibition of LCAT by higher concentrations of apoHDL was not correlated with the aopA-II and apoC content.