Paraoxonases (PONs) 1, 2, and 3 are expressed in human and mouse gastrointestinal tract and in Caco-2 cell line: selective secretion of PON1 and PON2

The paraoxonase (PON) family contains three genes (PON1/2/3) that are believed to be involved in the protection against oxidative stress. PON1 and PON3 are circulating in serum attached to high-density lipoprotein fraction (HDL), whereas PON2 is ubiquitously expressed. The intestine is the second major organ that synthesizes lipoproteins; therefore, we examined PON mRNA expression and protein levels in gastrointestinal biopsies from humans, from C57BL6 mice, and from Caco-2 cells, a colon carcinoma-derived cell line that exhibits properties of intestinal epithelium at differentiation. PON 1/2/3 mRNA and proteins were present in human biopsies with variable expression among different gastrointestinal segments. Only PON2 and PON3 were present in mice. All PON mRNA, proteins, and enzymatic activities were present in Caco-2 cells. Oxidation of CaCo-2 cells with ferrum ascorbate had no significant effect on PON mRNA expression, but it increased paraoxonase and lactonase activity, whereas statinase activity was decreased. We showed polarized secretion of PON1 (basolateral) and PON2 (apical) into Caco-2 culture medium, raising the possibility that intestine is capable of producing and releasing PON1 and PON3 to the circulation, whereas PON2 is released at the brush-border membrane to intestinal lumen where it may perform another yet unclear function.     

Iron-ascorbic acid-induced oxidant stress and its quenching by paraoxonase 1 in HDL and the liver: comparison between humans and rats

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a serum enzyme closely associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which may protect against atherosclerosis by hydrolyzing lipid peroxides and several organophosphorus compounds. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that lipid peroxidation modifies the activity and protein mass of PON1 in humans and rats. Our findings revealed that the bulk of the activity monitored by the hydrolysis of paraoxon and phenyl acetate was confined to liver intracellular endoplasmic reticulum-derived microsomes and was mostly recovered in circulating HDL3. Confirmation was obtained by the determination of PON1 expression by Western blot. It is noteworthy that PON1 levels were consistently decreased in human sera, HDL, and liver microsomes compared with rat counterparts. Concomitant with iron-ascorbate-mediated lipid peroxidation, there was a decline in PON1 activity and protein in both HDL3 and microsomes, which was attenuated by butylated hydroxytoluene antioxidant treatment. The current data indicate that PON1 localization in microsomes and HDL3 could represent a selective cellular and lipoprotein response to oxidative stress. This was tested by the iron-ascorbate oxygen-radical generating system. It is also proposed that the increased PON1 level may have a function related to the well-known atherosclerosis resistance of rats.     

Transgene expression of human PON1 Q in mice protected the liver against CCl4-induced injury

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress, often in association with decreased antioxidant defenses, plays a pathogenetic role in both initiation and progression of liver injuries, leading to almost all clinical and experimental conditions of chronic liver diseases. Human paraoxonase 1 (hPON1) is a liver-synthesized enzyme possessing antioxidant properties. Here, we investigate the effects of transgene-expressed hPON1 Q on alleviating lipid peroxidation and preventing liver injury in a mouse model. METHODS: The hPON1 Q gene was cloned into pcDNA3.0 plasmid and electro-transferred into mouse skeletal muscle. After CCl4 had been administrated to induce liver injury, mice were monitored for serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA). The extent of CCl4-induced liver injury was also analyzed through histopathological observations. RESULTS: After gene delivery, hPON1 mRNA expression was detected in mouse muscle and serum PON1 activity was 1.5 times higher than that of the control counterpart. In the PON1 Q gene transferred mice, protection against CCl4-induced liver injury was reflected by significantly decreased serum ALT, AST and MDA levels compared to those in control mice (P < 0.01). Histological observations also revealed that hepatocyte necrosis, hemorrhage, vacuolar change and hydropic degeneration were apparent in control mice after CCl4 administration. In contrast, the damage was significantly prevented (P < 0.01) in the hPON1 Q transferred mice. CONCLUSIONS: Intramuscular electro-transfer of the hPON1 Q gene led to efficient expression of hPON1 in mice. Elevated levels of PON1, by virtue of its potency to alleviate oxidative stress, could protect mice from suffering CCl4-induced liver damage.     

Lipid-induced peroxidation in the intestine is involved in glucose homeostasis imbalance in mice

Background

Daily variations in lipid concentrations in both gut lumen and blood are detected by specific sensors located in the gastrointestinal tract and in specialized central areas. Deregulation of the lipid sensors could be partly involved in the dysfunction of glucose homeostasis. The study aimed at comparing the effect of Medialipid (ML) overload on insulin secretion and sensitivity when administered either through the intestine or the carotid artery in mice.

Methodology/Principal Findings

An indwelling intragastric or intracarotid catheter was installed in mice and ML or an isocaloric solution was infused over 24 hours. Glucose and insulin tolerance and vagus nerve activity were assessed. Some mice were treated daily for one week with the anti-lipid peroxidation agent aminoguanidine prior to the infusions and tests. The intestinal but not the intracarotid infusion of ML led to glucose and insulin intolerance when compared with controls. The intestinal ML overload induced lipid accumulation and increased lipid peroxidation as assessed by increased malondialdehyde production within both jejunum and duodenum. These effects were associated with the concomitant deregulation of vagus nerve. Administration of aminoguanidine protected against the effects of lipid overload and normalized glucose homeostasis and vagus nerve activity.

Conclusions/Significance

Lipid overload within the intestine led to deregulation of gastrointestinal lipid sensing that in turn impaired glucose homeostasis through changes in autonomic nervous system activity.     

Paraoxonases 1, 2, and 3, oxidative stress, and macrophage foam cell formation during atherosclerosis development

Paraoxonases PON1 and PON3, which are both associated in serum with HDL, protect the serum lipids from oxidation, probably as a result of their ability to hydrolyze specific oxidized lipids. The activity of HDL-associated PON1 seems to involve an activity (phospholipase A2-like activity, peroxidase-like activity, lactonase activity) which produces LPC. To study the possible role of PON1 in macrophage foam cell formation and atherogenesis we used macrophages from control mice, from PON1 knockout mice, and from PON1 transgenic mice. Furthermore, we analyzed PON1-treated macrophages and PON1-transfected cells to demonstrate the contribution of PON1 to the attenuation of macrophage cholesterol and oxidized lipid accumulation and foam cell formation. PON1 was shown to inhibit cholesterol influx [by reducing the formation of oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL), increasing the breakdown of specific oxidized lipids in Ox-LDL, and decreasing macrophage uptake of Ox-LDL]. PON1 also inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis and stimulates HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages. PON2 and PON3 protect against oxidative stress, with PON2 acting mainly at the cellular level. Whereas serum PON1 and PON3 were inactivated under oxidative stress, macrophage PON2 expression and activity were increased under oxidative stress, probably as a compensatory mechanism against oxidative stress. Intervention to increase the paraoxonases (cellular and humoral) by dietary or pharmacological means can reduce macrophage foam cell formation and attenuate atherosclerosis development.     

Effects of JBP485 on the expression and function of PEPT1 in indomethacin-induced intestinal injury in rats and damage in Caco-2 cells

To investigate the effect of JBP485 (an anti-inflammatory dipeptide) on PEPT1 in indomethacin-induced intestinal injury in rats and damage in Caco-2 cells, the activity and expression of PEPT1 were examined. The effects of treatment with indomethacin and co-treatment with JBP485 were examined in terms of intestinal histological changes, MDA and MPO levels in rats; as well as LDH-release and oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells. Uptake of glycylsarcosine (Gly-Sar) by PEPT1 was determined by in vivo, in vitro and in situ studies. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to assess the expression of PEPT1 in rat intestine and Caco-2 cells. JBP485 caused a significant decrease in MDA and MPO levels, and improved the pathological condition of rat intestine, while attenuating Caco-2 cells damage induced by indomethacin. Uptake of Gly-Sar by PEPT1 was decreased by indomethacin treatment, whereas the Gly-Sar plasma concentration was markedly increased in JBP485 co-treated rats. Indomethacin down-regulated the expression of PEPT1 mRNA and protein in rat intestine and Caco-2 cells, and the effects were reversed after administration of JBP485. These results indicated that JBP485 not only improved intestinal injury and cell damage but also partially blocked the down-regulation of PEPT1 expression and function induced by indomethacin.     

Mechanisms of oxidative modification of low density lipoproteins under conditions of oxidative and carbonyl stress

Low-molecular-weight aldehydes (glyoxal, methylglyoxal, 3-deoxyglucosone) generated on autooxidation of glucose under conditions of carbonyl stress react much more actively with amino groups of L-lysine and epsilon-amino groups of lysine residues of apoprotein B-100 in human blood plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL) than their structural analogs (malonic dialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal) resulting on free radical oxidation of lipids under conditions of oxidative stress. Glyoxal-modified LDL aggregate in the incubation medium with a significantly higher rate than LDL modified by MDA, and MDA-modified LDL are markedly more poorly absorbed by cultured human macrophages and significantly more slowly eliminated from the rat bloodstream upon intravenous injection. Studies on kinetics of free radical oxidation of rat liver membrane phospholipids have shown that ubiquinol Q(10) is the most active lipid-soluble natural antioxidant, and suppression of ubiquinol Q(10) biosynthesis by beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) is accompanied by intensification of lipid peroxidation in rat liver biomembranes and in LDL of human blood plasma. Injection of ubiquinone Q(10) protects the human blood plasma LDL against oxidation and prevents oxidative stress-induced damages to rat myocardium. A unified molecular mechanism of atherogenic action of carbonyl-modified LDL in disorders of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism is discussed.     

Cinnamophilin as a novel antiperoxidative cytoprotectant and free radical scavenger

The antioxidant properties of cinnamophilin were evaluated by studying its ability to react with relevant reactive oxygen species, and its protective effect on cultured cells and biomacromolecules under oxidative stress. Cinnamophilin concentration-dependently suppressed non-enzymatic iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates with an IC50 value of 8.0+/-0.7 microM and iron ion/ADP/ascorbate-initiated rat liver mitochondrial lipid peroxidation with an IC50 value of 17.7+/-0.2 microM. It also exerted an inhibitory activity on NADPH-dependent microsomal lipid peroxidation with an IC50 value of 3.4+/-0.1 microM without affecting microsomal electron transport of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. Both 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azo-bis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride-derived peroxyl radical tests demonstrated that cinnamophilin possessed marked free radical scavenging capacity. Cinnamophilin significantly protected cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (A7r5) against alloxan/iron ion/H2O2-induced damage resulting in cytoplasmic membranous disturbance and mitochondrial potential decay. By the way, cinnamophilin inhibited copper-catalyzed oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein, as measured by fluorescence intensity and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance formation in a concentration-dependent manner. On the other hand, it was reactive toward superoxide anions generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system and the aortic segment from aged spontaneously hypertensive rat. Furthermore, cinnamophilin exerted a divergent effect on the respiratory burst of human neutrophil by different stimulators. Our results show that cinnamophilin acts as a novel antioxidant and cytoprotectant against oxidative damage.     

Indole-3-propionic acid, a melatonin-related molecule, protects hepatic microsomal membranes from iron-induced oxidative damage: relevance to cancer reduction

Excessive free iron and the associated oxidative damage are commonly related to carcinogenesis. Among the antioxidants known to protect against iron-induced oxidative abuse and carcinogenesis, melatonin and other indole compounds recently have received considerable attention. Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a deamination product of tryptophan, with a structure similar to that of melatonin, is present in biological fluids and is an effective free radical scavenger. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of IPA on experimentally induced oxidative changes in rat hepatic microsomal membranes. Microsomes were preincubated in presence of IPA (10, 3, 2, 1, 0.3, 0.1, 0.01 or 0.001 mM) and, then, incubated with FeCl(3) (0.2 mM), ADP (1.7 mM) and NADPH (0.2 mM) to induce oxidative damage. Alterations in membrane fluidity (the inverse of membrane rigidity) were estimated by fluorescence spectroscopy and lipid peroxidation by measuring concentrations of malondialdehyde+4-hydroxyalkenals (MDA+4-HDA). IPA, when used in concentrations of 10, 3 or 2 mM, increased membrane fluidity, although at these concentrations it did not influence lipid peroxidation significantly. The decrease in membrane fluidity due to Fe(3+) was completely prevented by preincubation in the presence of IPA at concentrations of 10, 3, 2 or 1 mM. The enhanced lipid peroxidation due to Fe(3+) was prevented by IPA only at the highest concentration (10 mM). It is concluded that Fe(3+)-induced rigidity and, to a lesser extent, lipid peroxidation in microsomal membranes may be reduced by IPA. However, IPA in high concentrations increase membrane fluidity. Besides melatonin, IPA may be used as a pharmacological agent to protect against iron-induced oxidative damage to membranes and, potentially, against carcinogenesis.     

Prophylactic effects of magnesium and vitamin E in rat spinal cord radiation damage: evaluation based on lipid peroxidation levels

This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of magnesium sulfate prophylaxis and vitamin E prophylaxis in a rat model of spinal cord radiation injury. Groups were subjected to different treatment conditions for 5 days prior to irradiation, and outcomes were evaluated on the basis of lipid peroxidation levels in cord tissue. Four groups of rats were investigated: no radiation/treatment (n = 4), intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline 1 ml/day (n = 6), i.p. vitamin E 100 mg/kg/day (n = 6), and i.p. magnesium sulfate 600 mg/kg/day (n = 6). The thoracic cord of each non-control rat was exposed to 20 Gy radiation in a LINAC system using 6 MV x-rays, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (reflecting lipid peroxidation level) were determined 24 hours post-irradiation. The MDA levels in thoracic cord segments from the control rats were used to determine baseline lipid peroxidation. The mean levels in the control, saline-only, vitamin E, and magnesium sulfate groups were 12.12 +/- 0.63, 27.0 +/- 2.81, 17.71 +/- 0.44, and 14.40 +/- 0.47 nmol/mg tissue, respectively. The MDA levels in the saline-only group were significantly higher than baseline, and the levels in the vitamin E group were significantly lower than those in the saline group (P < 0.05 for both). The levels in the magnesium sulfate group were dramatically lower than those in the saline group (P < 0.001). The results indicate that i.p. magnesium sulfate has a marked neuroprotective effect against radiation-induced oxidative stress in the rat spinal cord.     

A hypocaloric diet enriched in legumes specifically mitigates lipid peroxidation in obese subjects

Legume intake could specifically protect against lipid peroxidation in addition to the effects associated to weight loss when included in hypocaloric diets. Thus, 30 obese subjects (age: 36 +/- 8 years and BMI: 32.0 +/- 5.3 kg/m(2)) were nutritionally treated by a 8-week energy restriction ( - 30% energy expenditure) with a legume enriched diet (4 days/week servings, [image omitted] ) or without legumes (control diet (CD), [image omitted] ). Body weight, circulating cholesterol, oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA) and urinary 8-isoprostane F(2alpha) (8-iso-PGF(2alpha)) were measured at baseline and at endpoint. After the nutritional intervention, all obese subjects lost weight, specially those individuals who followed the legumes-enriched diet as compared to the CD ( - 7.7 +/- 3 vs. - 5.3 +/- 2.7%; p = 0.023), which was accompanied by marked decreases in total cholesterol levels (p < 0.001) and statistically significant diet-related reductions on plasma ox-LDL, plasma MDA and urinary 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) output. Therefore, a balanced diet with moderate caloric restriction including 4 day/week legume servings empowered the oxidative stress improvement related to weight loss through a reduction in lipid peroxidation as compared to a control hypocaloric diet.     

Effect of human Apo AIV against lipid peroxidation of very low density lipoproteins

Recent studies have demonstrated that Apo AIV exerts a protective effect against atherosclerosis. Moreover, Qin et al. (Am. J. Physiol. 274 (1998) H1836) have demonstrated that Apo AIV, isolated from rat plasma, exerts an inhibitory effect against Cu(2+)-induced lipid peroxidation of intestinal lymph and LDL. The aim of the study was to investigate whether human Apo AIV exerts a protective effect against Cu(2+)-induced lipid peroxidation. Our results demonstrated that human Apo AIV exerted an inhibitory effect against Cu(2+) and AAPH induced lipid peroxidation of VLDL, as shown by the lower increase in the levels of TBARS and conjugated dienes in lipoproteins preincubated with Apo AIV. In addition, the tryptophan (Trp) and probe 2-(dimethylamino)-6-lauroylnaphthalene (Laurdan) fluorescence studies demonstrated that the modifications of spectral properties in both lipoproteins preincubated with Apo AIV were lower with respect to ox-lipoproteins, suggesting that Apo AIV prevents the modification of physico-chemical properties due to peroxidation.     

Subcloning, localization, and expression of the rat intestinal sodium-hydrogen exchanger isoform 8

Apically expressed intestinal and renal sodium-hydrogen exchangers (NHEs) play a major role in Na(+) absorption. Our previous studies on NHE ontogeny have shown that NHE-2 and NHE-3 are expressed at very low levels in young animals. Furthermore, single and/or double NHE-2 and NHE-3 knockout mice display no obvious abnormalities before weaning. These observations suggest that other transporter(s) may be involved in intestinal Na+ absorption during early life. The present studies were designed to clone the novel rat intestinal NHE-8 cDNA and to decipher the NHE-8 protein localization and gene expression pattern during different developmental stages. The rat NHE-8 cDNA has 2,160 bp and encodes a 575-amino acid protein. An antibody against NHE-8 protein was developed. Immunohistochemistry staining indicated apical localization of NHE-8 protein in rat intestinal epithelial cells. The apical localization of NHE-8 was also confirmed by its presence in brush-border membrane and its absence in basolateral membrane preparations. Northern blotting utilizing a NHE-8-specific probe demonstrated higher NHE-8 mRNA expression in young animals compared with adult animals. Western blot analysis revealed a similar pattern. Tissue distribution with multiple human tissue RNA blot showed that NHE-8 was expressed in multiple tissues including the gastrointestinal tract. In conclusion, we have cloned the full-length NHE-8 cDNA from rat intestine and further showed its apical localization in intestinal epithelial cells. We have also shown that NHE-8 gene expression and protein expression were regulated during ontogeny. Our data suggests that NHE-8 may play an important role in intestinal Na+ absorption during early life.     

Hesperidin, an antioxidant flavonoid, prevents acrylonitrile-induced oxidative stress in rat brain

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is a volatile, toxic liquid used as a monomer in the manufacture of synthetic rubber, styrene plastics, acrylic fiber, and adhesives. ACN is a potent neurotoxin. A role for free radical mediated lipid peroxidation in the toxicity of ACN has been suggested. We examined the ability of hesperidin, an antioxidant flavonoid, to attenuate ACN-induced alterations in lipid peroxidation in rat brains. The daily oral administration of ACN to male albino rats in a dose of 50 mg/kg bwt for a period of 28 days produced a significant elevation in brain lipid peroxides measured as malondialdehyde (MDA) amounting to 107%, accompanied by a marked decrease in brain-reduced glutathione (GSH) content reaching 63%. In addition, ACN administration resulted in significant reductions in the enzymatic antioxidant parameters of brain; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) recording 43%, 64%, 52%, and 43%, respectively. On the other hand, pretreatment with hesperidin and its coadministration with ACN once daily in a dose of 200 mg/kg bwt i.p. for 28 days ameliorated ACN-induced alterations in brain lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that hesperidin may have a beneficial role against ACN-induced oxidative stress in the brain; an effect that is mainly attributed to the antioxidant property of hesperidin.     

Comparative study of the responses of bovine and mouse intestinal mucosa to iron-dependent lipid peroxidation.

1. The extent of lipid peroxidation in vitro, as indicated by the production of malonaldehyde, was significantly different in homogenates of bovine and mouse intestinal mucosa. 2. Mouse intestinal mucosa was resistant to non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation whereas bovine intestinal mucosa was not. 3. Iron-dependent lipid peroxidation in bovine intestinal mucosa depends on the position the cells occupy along the crypt-villus axis. 4. The addition of methanolic extracts from bovine intestine to mouse liver homogenates produced a considerable increase in non-enzymatic peroxidation whereas those from mouse intestinal mucosa had no effect.     

Integrating miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in response to heat stress-induced injury in rat small intestine

The molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of heat stress in the small intestine remain undefined. Furthermore, little information is available concerning changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression following heat stress. The present study sought to evaluate miRNA and mRNA expression profiles in the rat small intestine in response to heat stress. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 2?h of heat stress daily for ten consecutive days. Rats were sacrificed at specific time points immediately following heat treatment, and morphological changes in the small intestine were determined. The miRNA and mRNA expression profiles from sample of small intestine were evaluated by microarray analysis. Heat stress caused pronounced morphological damage in the rat small intestine, most severe within the jejunum after 3?days of heat treatment. A mRNA microarray analysis found 270 genes to be up-regulated and 122 genes down-regulated (P?≤?0.01, ≥2.0-fold change) in the jejunum after heat treatment. A miRNA microarray analysis found 18 miRNAs to be up-regulated and 11 down-regulated in the jejunum after heat treatment (P?≤?0.05). Subsequent bioinformatic analyses of the differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs were carried out to integrate miRNA and mRNA expression and revealed that alterations in mRNA following heat stress were negatively correlated with miRNA expression. These findings significantly advance our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of heat stress-induced injury in the small intestine, specifically with regard to miRNAs.     

Hymenolepis diminuta: Activity of anti-oxidant enzymes in different parts of rat gastrointestinal tract

The aim of this study was to assess the intensity of oxidative stress by measuring levels of lipid peroxidation products in the duodenum, jejunum and colon of rats infected with Hymenolepis diminuta and evaluate the effectiveness of protection against oxidative stress by measuring the glutathione levels and activity of anti-oxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase.In exposed rats we observed a significant increase of lipid peroxidation products in the duodenum and jejunum. A significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity in all the examined parts of the digestive tract was observed. Additionally, rats from 16 to 40 days post H. diminuta infection (dpi) had a decreased catalase activity in the colon, while at 60 dpi it increased. The glutathione peroxidase activity increased significantly in the colon at 60 dpi. The increase in glutathione reductase activity was observed in the colon in rats 60 dpi. There was a lack of changes in the levels of glutathione in the duodenum and a significant increase in its concentration in the jejunum and colon from 40 to 60 dpi and from 16 to 40 dpi, respectively. In this study we observed altered activity of anti-oxidant enzymes and glutathione level in experimental hymenolepidosis, as a consequence of oxidative stress. It may indicate a decrease in the efficiency of intestinal protection against oxidative stress induced by the presence of the parasite. The imbalance between oxidant and anti-oxidant processes may play a major role in pathology associated with hymenolepidosis.     

Differentiation-dependent expression and localization of the class B type I scavenger receptor in intestine

The current study used the human Caco-2 cell line and mouse intestine to explore the topology of expression of the class B type I scavenger receptor (SR-BI) in intestinal cells. Results showed that intestinal cells expressed only the SR-BI isoform with little or no expression of the SR-BII variant. The expression of SR-BI in Caco-2 cells is differentiation dependent, with little or no expression in preconfluent undifferentiated cells. Analysis of Caco-2 cells cultured in Transwell porous membranes revealed the presence of SR-BI on both the apical and basolateral cell surface. Immunoblot analysis of mouse intestinal cell extracts demonstrated a gradation of SR-BI expression along the gastrocolic axis of the intestine, with the highest level of expression in the proximal intestine and decreasing to minimal expression levels in the distal intestine. Immunofluorescence studies with SR-BI-specific antibodies also confirmed this expression pattern. Importantly, the immunofluorescence studies also revealed that SR-BI immunoreactivity was most intense in the apical membrane of the brush border in the duodenum. The crypt cells did not show any reactivity with SR-BI antibodies. The localization of SR-BI in the jejunum was found to be different from that observed in the duodenum. SR-BI was present on both apical and basolateral surfaces of the jejunum villus. Localization of SR-BI in the ileum was also different, with little SR-BI detectable on either apical or basolateral membranes.Taken together, these results suggest that SR-BI has the potential to serve several functions in the intestine. The localization of SR-BI on the apical surface of the proximal intestine is consistent with the hypothesis of its possible role in dietary cholesterol absorption, whereas SR-BI present on the basolateral surface of the distal intestine suggests its possible involvement in intestinal lipoprotein uptake.