Regulation of bile acid synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes: stimulation by apoE-rich high density lipoproteins

Cultured rat hepatocytes obtained by liver perfusion with collagenase in the presence of soybean trypsin inhibitor were used to examine the role of high density lipoproteins (HDL) in supplying cholesterol to the hepatocyte for bile acid synthesis. Within 6 hr of adding HDL (d 1.07-1.21 g/ml) obtained from rat serum there was a significant stimulation of bile acid synthesis and secretion that reached 2-fold after 24 hr. The stimulation by HDL occurred at normal plasma concentrations (i.e., 500 micrograms/ml) and showed further stimulation in a dose-dependent manner reaching a maximum stimulation of 2- to 2.5-fold. The stimulation of bile acid synthesis was dependent on the cholesteryl ester content of the HDL. Several lines of evidence show that the HDL is taken up by a receptor-mediated process dependent on apoE. These include: 1) at the same concentration (500 micrograms/ml) apoE-poor HDL (not retained by heparin affinity chromatography of HDL isolated from the plasma of rats fasted for 72 hr stimulated bile acid synthesis by 48%, whereas apoE-rich HDL stimulated bile acid synthesis by 110%; 2) reductive methylation totally blocked the stimulation of bile acid synthesis by HDL; 3) HDLC, which contained apoE as its major protein component, also maximally stimulated bile acid synthesis; and 4) human HDL, which contained no detectable apoE, failed to stimulate bile acid synthesis. Additional studies showed that apoE-enriched HDL and HDLC both inhibited cholesterol synthesis (determined by the incorporation of 3H2O) and caused a net accumulation of cholesteryl esters in hepatocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Compartmentalization of cholesterol metabolism and cellular growth in cultured intestinal crypt cells

Growth of rat intestinal crypt derived cells IEC-6 ceased when the key enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, was blocked by the competitive inhibitor mevinolin. This effect was reversed by the addition of mevalonolactone. LDL suppressed reductase activity as well as cholesterol synthesis from [14C]octanoate and stimulated acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase, but failed to support cell growth despite rapid receptor mediated degradation even in the presence of low mevalonolactone concentrations. Inhibition of cholesterol esterification by Sandoz-Compound 58-035 enhanced cell growth in the presence of mevinolin, but did not promote proliferation in the additional presence of low-density lipoproteins. HDL3 but not HDL2 or tetranitromethane-modified HDL3 totally reversed the mevinolin induced inhibition of cell growth. This rescue by HDL3 was overcome by an increased dose of mevinolin. HDL3 derepressed reductase, stimulated cholesterol synthesis and reduced cholesterol esterification, but did not reverse the cholesterol synthesis inhibition by mevinolin. It is concluded that IEC-6 cells preferentially use endogenously synthesized cholesterol for membrane formation rather than low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. High-density lipoproteins appear to normalize cell growth in the presence of mevinolin by inhibition of cholesterol esterification and probably by inducing the formation of non sterol products of mevalonate.     

Inhibition of acylcoenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity in CaCo-2 cells results in intracellular triglyceride accumulation

The activity of acylcoenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) in CaCo-2 cells was inhibited by the ACAT inhibitor, 58-035. The inhibitory effect of this acylamide was specific for cholesterol esterification catalyzed by ACAT; the rates of triglyceride, phospholipid, and cholesterol synthesis were not inhibited by this agent. Cholesteryl esters were depleted in CaCo-2 cells 24 hr after inhibition of ACAT activity, whereas the unesterified cholesterol content increased by 56% after 96 hr. Moreover, inhibiting ACAT activity with 58-035 resulted in a time-dependent 2.5-fold increase in intracellular triglycerides. This accumulation of triglycerides in CaCo-2 cells was associated with a 37% increase in triglyceride synthesis by 96 hr in the presence of 58-035. Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein secretion (d less than 1.006 g/ml) was not affected by inhibiting ACAT activity for up to 6 hr. However, triglyceride-rich lipoprotein secretion was significantly decreased in CaCo-2 cells that were preincubated with 58-035 for 24 to 96 hr. Lipoproteins of density less than 1.006 g/ml that were isolated from CaCo-2 cells incubated with the ACAT inhibitor were deficient in cholesteryl esters and triglycerides compared to lipoproteins isolated from control cells. The data suggest that triglycerides accumulate in CaCo-2 cells in which ACAT activity has been inhibited by 58-035. This accumulation of triglycerides is associated with a modest increase in triglyceride synthesis and a decrease in triglyceride secretion. Altering intracellular cholesterol pools by regulating ACAT activity in the gut could result in the decrease of triglyceride transport and/or the secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles of abnormal composition.     

The effect of natural and synthetic antioxidant polyhydroxynaphthoquinones on cholesterol metabolism in cultured rabbit hepatocytes]

Primary cultures of rabbit hepatocytes were used to examine the effect of natural and synthetic antioxidants--polyhydroxynaphthoquinones (PHNQ) and alpha-tocopherol on cholesterol and bile acid synthesis. Histochrome, one of the PHNQ, slightly decreased cholesterol synthesis at concentrations 10-100 microM, whereas alpha-tocopherol stimulated cholesterol synthesis. After administration of histochrome or alpha-tocopherol into culture medium a significant stimulation of bile acid synthesis in dose-dependent manner was observed. The increase of bile acid secretion by histochrome in the presence of physiological concentration of HDL2 was found as well. Since histochrome in contrast to alpha-tocopherol enhanced accumulation of [14C] cholesterol of HDL2 in the hepatocytes, it was concluded that histochrome stimulated bile acid synthesis as a result of increased input of HDL2 cholesterol into hepatocytes. These data suggest that histochrome may exhibit a hypocholesterolemic effect by stimulation of bile acid synthesis and inhibition of cholesterol synthesis.     

Selective inhibition of acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase by compound 58-035

Compound 58-035 (3-[decyldimethylsilyl]-N-[2-(4-methylphenyl)-1-phenylethyl]pro panamide) has been found to inhibit the accumulation of cholesteryl esters in both rat hepatoma (Fu5AH) cells and arterial smooth muscle cells in culture. To explore the specificity of 58-035, we have studied the esterification of cholesterol, retinol, and glycerides by the Fu5AH cell and by isolated membranes. Exposure of Fu5AH to cholesterol/phospholipid dispersions and 58-035 (greater than 100 ng/ml) for 24 h resulted in greater than 95% inhibition of cholesterol esterification while cellular free cholesterol increased slightly. Inhibition was also rapid; incorporation of [3H]oleate into cholesteryl [3H]oleate equaled only 12% of control value after 30 min with 58-035 at 5 micrograms/ml. In contrast, there was no decrease in [3H]oleate incorporation into phospholipids or diglycerides, nor was the esterification of [3H]retinol inhibited by 58-035. In microsomal fractions, acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase could be inhibited completely by 58-035, while activities of acyl-CoA: retinol acyltransferase and triglyceride synthesis proceeded at 75-100% of control values. These observations that 58-035 is highly selective allow the inference that acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase is a separate microsomal enzyme whose activity can be modulated independently from acyl-CoA:retinol acyltransferase and other cellular acyltransferases.     

Bile salts in submicellar concentrations promote bidirectional cholesterol transfer (exchange) as a function of their hydrophobicity

Cholesterol, despite its poor solubility in aqueous solutions, exchanges efficiently between membranes. Movement of cholesterol between different subcellular membranes in the hepatocyte is necessary for assembly of lipoproteins, biliary cholesterol secretion, and bile acid synthesis. Factors which initiate and facilitate transfer of cholesterol between different membranes in the hepatocyte are incompletely understood. It is known that cholesterol secretion into the bile is linked to bile salt secretion. In the present study, we investigated the effects of bile salts of different physicochemical properties at submicellar concentrations (150- 600 microM) on the transfer of [14C]cholesterol from hepatocytes, or crude hepatocellular membranes (donors), to rat high density lipoproteins (acceptor). Bile salts included taurine conjugates of ursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), hyodeoxycholic acid (THDCA), cholic acid (TCA), chenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA), and deoxycholic acid (TDCA). High density lipoprotein (HDL) was separated from hepatocellular membranes and the transfer of [14C]cholesterol from the membranes to HDL was quantitatively determined. In the absence of HDL, [14C]cholesterol remained confined to the membrane fraction. Following addition of HDL, [4-14C]cholesterol in the HDL fraction increased linearly over time. Addition of hydrophilic bile salts (TUDCA and THDCA) increased transfer of [4-14C]cholesterol to HDL only minimally. By contrast, more hydrophobic bile salts stimulated transfer of labeled cholesterol to HDL, and their potency increased in order of increasing hydrophobicity (TCA less than TCDCA less than TDCA). Both for single bile salts and mixtures of bile salts at a total bile salt concentration of 0.30 mM, the rate of cholesterol transfer exhibited a strong linear correlation with a bile salt monomeric hydrophobicity index (r = 0.95; P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effects of 6-azacholest-4-en-3 beta-ol-7-one, an inhibitor of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, on cholesterol metabolism and bile acid synthesis in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

6-Azacholest-4-en-3 beta-ol-7-one (azacholesterol) was shown to be a specific inhibitor of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase. It inhibited cholesterol hydroxylation by a rat liver microsomal preparation with non-competitive kinetics and a Ki of 4 microM. No evidence was found for a time-dependent inhibition of activity. Azacholesterol did not inhibit acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase or 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase in rat liver microsomal preparations, or cholesterol esterification and synthesis in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. The synthesis of bile acids was inhibited by azacholesterol in these cells in a dose-dependent way. When bile acid synthesis was inhibited by azacholesterol, newly-synthesized cholesterol from exogenous mevalonate was secreted by the hepatocyte cultures into the cell culture medium in several-fold excess over control incubations. No changes in the secretion of cholesteryl ester occurred in the presence of azacholesterol. This observation suggests that newly synthesised cholesterol that has entered the substrate pool for hydroxylation is no longer accessible to the substrate pool for esterification. This is further evidence for the compartmentation of cholesterol metabolism in the hepatocyte.     

Esterification and absorption of cholesterol: in vitro and in vivo observations in the rat

Activity of the enzyme acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) in isolated rat enterocytes was reduced by approx. 75% following a single oral dose of Sandoz compound 58-035 (30 mg.kg-1). Despite this, the formation of [14C]cholesteryl esters from [1-14C]oleic acid remained unaffected in ACAT-inhibited cell preparations. The increase in serum cholesterol concentrations observed after overnight cholesterol/cholic acid (1%/0.5%) feeding to rats was abolished by pre-treatment with Sandoz compound 58-035 (30 mg.kg-1). These results can be reconciled with a previously proposed model for the transmembrane movement of cholesterol which implicates ACAT-independent esterification and hydrolysis as a transport mechanism for the movement of cholesterol across the enterocyte apical membrane.     

Behaviour of phospholipase modified-HDL towards cultured hepatocytes. II. Increased cell cholesterol storage and bile acid synthesis

Human total HDL (hydrated density 1.070-1.210), HDL2 (1.070-1.125), HDL3 (1.125-1.210) or HDL separated by heparin affinity chromatography were treated with or without purified phospholipase A2 from Crotalus adamanteus. Control and treated HDL were reisolated and were then incubated with cultured hepatocytes. 1. Mass measurements evidenced a time-dependent cholesterol enrichment in hepatocytes cultured in the absence of lipoproteins. Addition of HDL2 still enhanced by 25% the cell cholesterol content and down-regulated endogenous sterol synthesis in similar proportions. Conversely, HDL3 slightly decreased the amount of free cholesterol in hepatocytes (-12%). 2. Incubations with phospholipase A2-treated HDL resulted in a 35%-50% increase of both the cellular cholesterol esterification and the cholesterylester accumulation, when compared to cells cultured in the presence of control-HDL. This effect was observed with HDL2, HDL3 and combining the data with all subfractions. 3. Cultured hepatocytes secreted cholic and beta-muricholic acids as major bile acids and HDL2 showed a tendency to stimulate their secretion. Phospholipase treatment of HDL again induced an increased production by hepatocytes of those two bile acids. Thus, whereas HDL2 and HDL3 display different behaviours with respect to cell cholesterol content, neosynthesis and bile acid secretion, their modifications by phospholipases always orientate the cell sterol metabolism in the same direction: increased cholesterylester accumulation and bile acid production.     

Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and esterification regulates high density lipoprotein interaction with isolated epithelial cells of human small intestine

The effect of two inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, lovastatin and monacolin L, and an inhibitor of acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), Sandoz compound 58-035, on the interaction of 125I-labeled high density lipoprotein-3 (HDL3) with isolated human enterocytes was studied. Both HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors inhibited cholesterol synthesis and 125I-labeled HDL3 binding and degradation by enterocytes; a strong correlation between changes in cholesterol synthesis and interaction of 125I-labeled HDL3 with cells was observed. Lovastatin caused reduction of the apparent number of 125I-labeled HDL3 binding sites without affecting the binding affinity. No changes of cell cholesterol content were observed after incubation of cells with lovastatin. Mevalonic acid reversed the effect of lovastatin on 125I-labeled HDL3 binding. Lovastatin blocked up-regulation of the HDL receptor in response to loading of cells with nonlipoprotein cholesterol and modified cholesterol-induced changes of 125I-labeled HDL3 degradation. Lovastatin also reduced HDL-mediated efflux of endogenously synthesized cholesterol from enterocytes. The ACAT inhibitor caused a modest increase of 125I-labeled HDL3 binding to enterocytes and significantly decreased its degradation; both effects correlated with inhibition of cholesteryl ester synthesis. The results allow us to assume that the intracellular free cholesterol pool may play a key role in regulation of the HDL receptor.     

Receptor-mediated uptake of low density lipoprotein stimulates bile acid synthesis by cultured rat hepatocytes

The cellular mechanisms responsible for the lipoprotein-mediated stimulation of bile acid synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes were investigated. Adding 280 micrograms/ml of cholesterol in the form of human or rat low density lipoprotein (LDL) to the culture medium increased bile acid synthesis by 1.8- and 1.6-fold, respectively. As a result of the uptake of LDL, the synthesis of [14C]cholesterol from [2-14C]acetate was decreased and cellular cholesteryl ester mass was increased. Further studies demonstrated that rat apoE-free LDL and apoE-rich high density lipoprotein (HDL) both stimulated bile acid synthesis 1.5-fold, as well as inhibited the formation of [14C]cholesterol from [2-14C]acetate. Reductive methylation of LDL blocked the inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, as well as the stimulation of bile acid synthesis, suggesting that these processes require receptor-mediated uptake. To identify the receptors responsible, competitive binding studies using 125I-labeled apoE-free LDL and 125I-labeled apoE-rich HDL were performed. Both apoE-free LDL and apoE-rich HDL displayed an equal ability to compete for binding of the other, suggesting that a receptor or a group of receptors that recognizes both apolipoproteins is involved. Additional studies show that hepatocytes from cholestyramine-treated rats displayed 2.2- and 3.4-fold increases in the binding of apoE-free LDL and apoE-rich HDL, respectively. These data show for the first time that receptor-mediated uptake of LDL by the liver is intimately linked to processes activating bile acid synthesis.     

Active taurocholic acid flux through hepatoma cells increases the cellular pool of unesterified cholesterol derived from lipoproteins

The effect of bile acid flux on the fate of lipoprotein-derived cholesterol was studied in bile acid-transporting McNtcp.18 hepatoma cells. The intracellular unesterified cholesterol (UC) concentration rose when McNtcp.18 cells grown in the presence of either high density lipoproteins (HDL) or low density lipoproteins (LDL) were incubated with taurocholic acid (TCA). This effect was more pronounced when the exogenous source of cholesterol was HDL. The presence of TCA in the culture medium of McNtcp.18 cells had no discernible effect on the uptake of cholesteryl esters (CE) from either lipoprotein. TCA treatment of cells preincubated with either lipoprotein did not affect cholesterol synthesis but antagonized the stimulation of cholesterol esterification in cells that were incubated with LDL. The CE concentration in cells treated with TCA was decreased, relative to cells not incubated with TCA, suggesting that cellular CE stores were also hydrolyzed. The TCA treatment reduced the amount of total cholesterol released into the medium by the lipoprotein-treated cells, which was coincident with the reduction in the amount of apolipoprotein B in the culture medium. However, the proportion of UC released into the medium by the lipoprotein-treated cells was increased in cells capable of active bile acid transport. The results indicate that active bile acid flux through hepatoma cells increases the cellular pool of UC derived from lipoproteins. The UC released by the cells into the culture medium under this condition may represent cholesterol destined for direct biliary secretion.     

The effect of a rat plasma high-density lipoprotein subfraction on the synthesis of bile salts by rat hepatocyte monolayers

The effect of a rat high-density lipoprotein subfraction (HDL2) on the synthesis of bile salts by rat hepatocyte monolayers prepared from rats fed a diet containing cholestyramine, was investigated. The synthesis of bile salts as measured by radioimmunoassay of conjugated cholic, chenodeoxycholic and beta-muricholic acids was significantly increased when hepatocytes were incubated with a physiological concentration (500 micrograms HDL2 protein X ml-1) of HDL2.     

Early effects of dietary orotic acid upon liver lipid synthesis and bile cholesterol secretion in rats

Dietary orotic acid is known to cause impaired fatty acid synthesis and increased cholesterol synthesis in rats. We found that the impaired fatty acid synthesis occurs during the first day of orotic acid feeding and, in studies with albumin-bound [1-14C]palmitic acid, an associated decrease in the rate of esterification of this fatty acid into triacylglycerol, phospholipid, and cholesteryl ester was observed. These changes may result from the known decreases in liver levels of adenine nucleotides or, as reported here, from decreased liver CoASH levels in orotic acid-fed rats. The increase in hepatic cholesterol synthesis occurred during the second day of orotic acid feeding. It was detected by increased incorporation of [1,2-14C]acetate into cholesterol by liver slices and by a 7-fold increase in HMG-CoA reductase activity. At the same time the biliary output of cholesterol was increased 2-fold and studies using 3H2O revealed that the output of newly synthesized cholesterol in bile was increased 5-fold. The content of cholesteryl ester in hepatic microsomes decreased during orotic acid feeding but free cholesterol was unchanged. The findings are interpreted to suggest that the increased bile cholesterol secretion caused by orotic acid is a result of impaired hepatic cholesterol esterification and that the increase in HMG-CoA reductase activity is a result of diminished negative feedback due to the depleted content of cholesteryl ester in the hepatic microsomes.     

Signaling through cholesterol esterification: a new pathway for the cholecystokinin 2 receptor involved in cell growth and invasion

Several studies indicate that cholesterol esterification is deregulated in cancers. The present study aimed to characterize the role of cholesterol esterification in proliferation and invasion of two tumor cells expressing an activated cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK2R). A significant increase in cholesterol esterification and activity of Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) was measured in tumor cells expressing a constitutively activated oncogenic mutant of the CCK2R (CCK2R-E151A cells) compared with nontumor cells expressing the wild-type CCK2R (CCK2R-WT cells). Inhibition of cholesteryl ester formation and ACAT activity by Sah58-035, an inhibitor of ACAT, decreased by 34% and 73% CCK2R-E151A cell growth and invasion. Sustained activation of CCK2R-WT cells by gastrin increased cholesteryl ester production while addition of cholesteryl oleate to the culture medium of CCK2R-WT cells increased cell proliferation and invasion to a level close to that of CCK2R-E151A cells. In U87 glioma cells, a model of autocrine growth stimulation of the CCK2R, inhibition of cholesterol esterification and ACAT activity by Sah58-035 and two selective antagonists of the CCK2R significantly reduced cell proliferation and invasion. In both models, cholesteryl ester formation was found dependent on protein kinase zeta/ extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (PKCζ/ERK1/2) activation. These results show that signaling through ACAT/cholesterol esterification is a novel pathway for the CCK2R that contributes to tumor cell proliferation and invasion.     

The presence of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase in Tetrahymena pyriformis W

1. The esterification of cholesterol was studied in Tetrahymena pyriformis an organism which does not synthesize sterols nor are sterols required for growth. 2. Microsomes catalyzed the esterification of cholesterol in the presence of oleoyl-CoA but not oleic acid or lecithin. 3. The enzyme has a similar sterol substrate specificity to that of mammalian acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) and was inhibited by the specific ACAT inhibitor 58-035. 4. The enzyme is constitutive since activity was observed in cells grown in sterol-free medium when cholesterol was added to the in vitro assay.     

Effects of ursodeoxycholic acid, analogues of ursodeoxycholic acid and combination of bile acids on bile acid synthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes

The effect of individual 7 beta-hydroxy bile acids (ursodeoxycholic and ursocholic acid), bile acid analogues of ursodeoxycholic acid, combination of bile acids (taurochenodeoxycholate and taurocholate), and mixtures of bile acids, phospholipids and cholesterol in proportions found in rat bile, on bile acids synthesis was studied in cultured rat hepatocytes. Individual steroids tested included ursodeoxycholate (UDCA), ursocholate (UCA), glycoursodeoxycholate (GUDCA) and tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA). Analogues of UDCA (7-methylursodeoxycholate, sarcosylursodeoxycholate and ursooxazoline) and allochenodeoxycholate, a representative of 5 alpha-cholanoic bile acid were also tested in order to determine the specificity of the bile acid biofeedback. Each individual steroid was added to the culture media at concentrations ranging from 10 to 200 microM. Mixtures of taurochenodeoxycholate (TDCA) and taurocholate in concentrations ranging from 150 to 600 microM alone and in combination with phosphatidylcholine (10-125 microM) and cholesterol (3-13 microM) were also tested for their effects on bile acid synthesis. Rates of bile acid synthesis were determined as the conversion of added lipoprotein [4-14C]cholesterol or [2-14C]mevalonate into 14C-labeled bile acids and by GLC quantitation of bile acids secreted into the culture media. Individual bile acids, bile acid analogues, combination of bile acids and mixture of bile acids with phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol failed to inhibit bile acid synthesis in cultured hepatocytes. The addition of UDCA or UCA to the culture medium resulted in a marked increase in the intracellular level of both bile acids, and in the case of UDCA there was a 4-fold increase in beta-muricholate. These results demonstrate effective uptake and metabolism of these bile acids by the rat hepatocytes. UDCA, UCA, TUDCA and GUDCA also failed to inhibit cholesterol-7 alpha-hydroxylase activity in microsomes prepared from cholestyramine-fed rats. The current data confirm and extend our previous observations that, under conditions employed, neither single bile acid nor a mixture of bile acids with or without phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol inhibits bile acid synthesis in primary rat hepatocyte cultures. We postulate that mechanisms other than a direct effect of bile acids on cholesterol-7 alpha-hydroxylase might play a role in the regulation of bile acid synthesis.     

Effect of apolipoprotein E-free high density lipoproteins on cholesterol metabolism in cultured pig hepatocytes

We studied cholesterol synthesis from [14C]acetate, cholesterol esterification from [14C]oleate, and cellular cholesterol and cholesteryl ester levels after incubating cells with apoE-free high density lipoproteins (HDL) or low density lipoproteins (LDL). LDL suppressed synthesis by up to 60%, stimulated esterification by up to 280%, and increased cell cholesteryl ester content about 4-fold. Esterification increased within 2 h, but synthesis was not suppressed until after 6 h. ApoE-free HDL suppressed esterification by about 50% within 2 h. Cholesterol synthesis was changed very little within 6 h, unless esterification was maximally suppressed; synthesis was then stimulated about 4-fold. HDL lowered cellular unesterified cholesterol by 13-20% within 2 h and promoted the removal of newly synthesized cholesterol and cholesteryl esters. These changes were transient; by 24 h, both esterification and cellular unesterified cholesterol returned to control levels, and cholesteryl esters increased 2-3-fold. HDL core lipid was taken up selectively from 125I-labeled [3H]cholesteryl ester- and ether-labeled HDL. LDL core lipid uptake was proportional to LDL apoprotein uptake. The findings suggest that 1) the cells respond initially to HDL or LDL with changes in esterification, and 2) HDL mediates both the removal of free cholesterol from the cell and the delivery of HDL cholesteryl esters to the cell.     

Effect of mevinolin and glycyrrhizinic acid on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in cultured rabbit hepatocytes]

A comparison of effects of two hypocholesterolemic drugs--mevinolin and glycyrrhizinic acid, on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in cultured rabbit hepatocytes has been carried out. The following parameters have been determined: i) cholesterol synthesis from [2-14C]acetate; ii) bile acid production from newly synthesized and [4-14C]-labeled HDL2 cholesterol, and, iii) total cholesterol efflux into the incubation medium Mevinolin (0.5 microgram/ml) inhibited [2-14C] acetate incorporation into cholesterol by more than 90%. Conversely, glycyrrhizinic acid did not influence cholesterol synthesis even when used at high (100 micrograms/ml) concentrations but stimulated the conversion of endogenous (by 37%) and exogenous (by 18%) cholesterol into bile acids and increased, in addition, the proportion of bile acids in the total sterol pool released from hepatocytes into the incubation medium. At the same time, mevinolin used at 0.5 microgram/ml decreased the bile acid production by endogenous (by 27%) and exogenous (by 40%) cholesterol. The data obtained suggest that glycyrrhizinic acid exerts hypocholesterolemic action by stimulation of cholesterol conversion into bile acids without any effect on cholesterol synthesis. As for mevinolin, it has a cholesterol-suppressing effect via a mechanism of cholesterol synthesis inhibition only.     

Evidence for a common biliary cholesterol and VLDL cholesterol precursor pool in rat liver.

Hepatic free cholesterol levels are influenced by cholesterol synthesis and ester formation, which, in turn, might regulate cholesterol secretion into bile and plasma. We manipulated the rates of hepatic cholesterol synthesis and esterification and measured biliary and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol secretion, and bile acid synthesis. Mevalonate decreased HMG CoA reductase by 80%, increased acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) by 60% and increased [3H]oleate incorporation into microsomal and VLDL cholesteryl esters by 174% and 122%, respectively. Microsomal and biliary free cholesterol remained constant at the expense of increased microsomal and VLDL cholesteryl ester content. Mevalonate did not change bile acid synthesis. 25-OH cholesterol decreased HMG-CoA reductase by 39%, increased ACAT by 24%, but did not effect 7 alpha-hydroxylase. 25-OH cholesterol increased [3H]oleate in microsomal and VLDL cholesterol esters by 71% and 120%. Biliary cholesterol decreased by 40% and VLDL cholesteryl esters increased by 83%. A small and unsustained decrease in bile acid synthesis (14CO2 release) occurred after 25-OH cholesterol. After orotic acid feeding, HMG-CoA reductase increased 352%, and [3H]oleate in microsomal and VLDL cholesteryl esters decreased by 43% and 89%. Orotic acid decreased all VLDL components including free cholesterol (68%) and cholesteryl esters (55%), and increased biliary cholesterol by 160%. No change in bile acid synthesis occurred. Hepatic cholesterol synthesis and esterification appear to regulate a cholesterol pool available for both biliary and VLDL secretion. Changing cholesterol synthesis and esterification did not alter bile acid synthesis, suggesting that either this common bile/VLDL secretory pool is functionally distinct from the cholesterol pool used for bile salt synthesis, or that free cholesterol availability in this precursor pool is not a major determinant of bile acid synthesis.