Effects of dietary soybean lecithin on plasma lipid transport and hepatic cholesterol metabolism in rats

Dietary lecithin can stimulate bile formation and biliary lipid secretion, particularly cholesterol output in bile. Studies also suggested that the lecithin-rich diet might modify hepatic cholesterol homeostasis and lipoprotein metabolism. Therefore, we examined hepatic activities of 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase "HMG -CoA reductase", cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase and acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase "ACAT" as well as plasma lipids and lipoprotein composition in rats fed diets enriched with 20% of soybean lecithin during 14 days. We also evaluated the content of hepatic canalicular membrane proteins involved in lipid transport to the bile (all P-glycoproteins as detected by the C 219 antibody and the sister of P-glycoprotein "spgp" or bile acid export pump) by Western blotting. As predicted, lecithin diet modified hepatic cholesterol homeostasis. The activity of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase was enhanced by 30 and 12% respectively, while microsomal ACAT activity showed a dramatic decrease of 75%. As previously reported from ACAT inhibition, the plasma level and size of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were significantly decreased and bile acid pool size and biliary lipid output were significantly increased. The canalicular membrane content of lipid transporters was not significantly affected by dietary lecithin. The current data on inhibition of ACAT activity and related metabolic effects by lecithin mimic the previously reported effects following drug-induced inhibition of ACAT activity, suggesting potential beneficial effects of dietary lecithin supplementation in vascular disease.     

Reduction by phytate-reduced soybean beta-conglycinin of plasma triglyceride level of young and adult rats.

This study examined the effects of soybean beta-conglycinin, from which phytate was mostly removed, on the plasma lipids in young and adult rats. Male Wistar young (6 week-old) and adult (21 week-old) rats were fed high cholesterol diets containing 20% casein, soy protein isolate (SPI), or soybean beta-conglycinin for 10 days. In young rats, although the food intake of the beta-conglycinin group was higher than those of the casein and SPI groups, the weight gain was significantly lower than those of the other groups. However, in adult rats, the weight gain was not different among the groups. In young and adult rats, relative liver weights of SPI and beta-conglycinin groups were significantly lower than that of the casein group, and the degree of the reduction was more marked in the beta-conglycinin group than in the SPI group. In young rats, the plasma triglyceride level was significantly lower in the SPI and beta-conglycinin groups than that in the casein group. In addition, the plasma triglyceride level of the beta-conglycinin group was significantly lower than that of the SPI group. Plasma total cholesterol levels of the SPI and beta-conglycinin groups were significantly lower than that of the casein group. However, there was little difference in the lowering effect between SPI and beta-conglycinin. These results indicate that soybean beta-conglycinin may have lowering functions not only on plasma total cholesterol level, but also on plasma triglyceride level.     

Effects of dietary fibre on serum lipid levels and fecal bile acid excretion.

Epidemiologic studies have suggested that dietary fibre protects humans against coronary heart disease, but interpretation of the data is confounded by coexisting differences in both dietary and environmental variables. The hypocholesterolemic action of dietary fibre varies: in general mucilaginous fibres such as pectin and oat bran are more effective than particulate fibres such as wheat bran. Although the mechanism of action of mucilaginous fibres is not completely understood, there is evidence that they induce small increases in the fecal excretion of bile acids and neutral steroids that are not fully compensated for by de novo cholesterol synthesis.     

Effects of castor oil on lipid metabolism in rats

Weanling rats were given diets contained castor oil (CAO-diet), coconut oil (CO-diet), or high-oleic safflower oil (HO-diet) each 10% (wt). No growth retardations were observed on the CAO-diets. The CAO-diet group showed significantly lower serum cholesterol and hepatic triacylglycerols than the HO-diet group. Ricinoleic acid was found at an extremely low level in perirenal adipose tissue.     

荷叶水提物对实验性肥胖大鼠脂代谢的影响及机制

目的：探讨荷叶水提物的减肥降脂作用及机制。方法：通过离体脂肪组织灌流实验观察荷叶水提物对正常SD大鼠离体脂肪组织游离脂肪酸（FFA）释放的影响;利用高糖高脂饮食诱导建立实验性肥胖大鼠模型,探讨荷叶水提物给药4周后,大鼠体重和血脂水平的变化,并采用RT-PCR和免疫组化技术对脂肪组织过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（PPAR-γ）和瘦素（leptin）表达进行检测。结果：离体实验发现荷叶水提物可明显促进离体脂肪组织FFA的释放。在体实验发现中剂量荷叶（60 mg/kg）与奥利斯他相似,可使实验性肥胖大鼠体重、血脂水平明显下降（P<0.05）,使脂肪组织PPAR-γ和瘦素的表达明显下降（P<0.05）。结论：荷叶水提物可通过改善大鼠脂肪组织PPAR-γ和leptin的表达,促进脂肪的动员和分解,降低肥胖大鼠体重和血脂水平,有望研发为减肥药物。     

Effects of a chitosan intake on the fecal excretion of dioxins and fat in rats

We evaluated the effects of the intake of various dietary fibers on the fecal excretion of dioxins in rats. The rats were fed five types of dietary fiber diets, including a chitosan diet and control diet, for 20 d and then dioxins (120 ng/rat) were orally administered on day 15. The excretion of fecal dioxins was significantly higher in the chitosan group than in the control group, and dioxin excretion was positively correlated with fecal fat excretion. A comparison of the different types of chitosan showed that the efficacy of chitosan for fecal fat excretion was partly related to its viscosity. The chitosan intake promoted fecal dioxin excretion when the rats were exposed to highly toxic dioxins, and this excretion of fecal dioxins was related to the fecal fat excretion, suggesting that chitosan might be useful for reducing the adverse effects caused by lipophilic xenobiotics.     

微量元素对糖尿病大鼠糖脂代谢的影响

目的观察微量元素铬对糖尿病大鼠糖脂代谢的影响。方法选糖尿病大鼠经灌胃给予有机铬水溶液治疗12周后,分别观察口服有机铬200μg/d及400μg/d的糖尿病大鼠空腹血糖及血脂水平(血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白和高密度脂蛋白)。实验分为4组:1组为正常对照组;2组为铬200μg/d组;3组为铬400μg/d组;4组为糖尿病对照组。结果有机铬具有明显降低血糖、血清总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白和甘油三酯及升高高密度脂蛋白的作用(P0.05~P0.01)。结论有机铬能明显改善糖尿病大鼠的糖脂代谢。     

Effects of thyrotoxicosis and selective hepatic autonomic denervation on hepatic glucose metabolism in rats

Thyrotoxicosis is known to induce a broad range of changes in carbohydrate metabolism. Recent studies have identified the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system as major regulators of hepatic glucose metabolism. The present study aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of altered endogenous glucose production (EGP) in rats with mild thyrotoxicosis. Rats were treated with methimazole in drinking water and l-thyroxine (T(4)) from osmotic minipumps to either reinstate euthyroidism or induce thyrotoxicosis. Euthyroid and thyrotoxic rats underwent either a sham operation, a selective hepatic sympathetic denervation (Sx), or a parasympathetic denervation (Px). After 10 days of T(4) administration, all animals were submitted to a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp combined with stable isotope dilution to measure EGP. Plasma triiodothyronine (T(3)) showed a fourfold increase in thyrotoxic compared with euthyroid animals. EGP was increased by 45% in thyrotoxic compared with euthyroid rats and correlated significantly with plasma T(3). In thyrotoxic rats, hepatic PEPCK mRNA expression was increased 3.5-fold. Relative suppression of EGP during hyperinsulinemia was 34% less in thyrotoxic than in euthyroid rats, indicating hepatic insulin resistance. During thyrotoxicosis, Sx attenuated the increase in EGP, whereas Px resulted in increased plasma insulin with unaltered EGP compared with intact animals, compatible with a further decrease in hepatic insulin sensitivity. We conclude that chronic, mild thyrotoxicosis in rats increases EGP, whereas it decreases hepatic insulin sensitivity. Sympathetic hepatic innervation contributes only to a limited extent to increased EGP during thyrotoxicosis, whereas parasympathetic hepatic innervation may function to restrain EGP in this condition.     

Effects of moderate riboflavin deficiency on lipid metabolism in rats

Dietary riboflavin intake of the people in Taiwan has been inadequate, while the fat intake has been increasing remarkably in recent years. Therefore, the effects of a moderate riboflavin deficiency on lipid metabolism in growing young rats fed diets containing 10, 25, or 40 percent calories of fat for 5 weeks were studied. The riboflavin deficiency status of the rats was certified by increased activity coefficients of erythrocyte glutathione reductase. Serum total lipids and cholesterol levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) in the medium fat-riboflavin deficient group. In the high fat-riboflavin deficient group, the growth and dietary intake were depressed and the liver weight/100 g body weight increased markedly (P less than 0.001). The liver total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and lipid peroxides of the high fat-riboflavin deficient group showed significant increases (P less than 0.025, P less than 0.025, P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.025 respectively), as compared with the pair-fed control groups. However, the increases were not significant in the medium fat and the low fat groups. The present study indicates that a high fat-riboflavin deficient diet would have adverse effects on lipid metabolism.     

酒精与肝脏脂质代谢

酒精滥用是一个重大的公共健康问题。酒精通过刺激脂肪酸合成,抑制脂肪酸的氧化导致肝脏脂质积累,进而诱发肝细胞病变,导致脂肪肝的病发。从转录调控脂质代谢的改变,异常甲硫氨酸代谢对内质网应激反应的作用等方面概述酒精与脂质代谢的相互调控机制,并阐述了这些调控机制之间的内在联系以及酒精如何影响肝脏脂质代谢,从而导致脂肪肝形成的最新相关研究进展。     

The association of hepatic apoprotein and lipid metabolism in hamsters and rats.

1. The hamster liver but not that of the rat, secretes VLDL containing only apoprotein B100. Apoprotein B48 was identified in mesenteric lymph of hamsters and therefore plasma apoprotein B48 is of intestinal origin. 2. Male hamster livers secrete less free cholesterol but similar cholesterol ester than male rats resulting in a higher CE/FC ratio in hamsters. 3. Hepatic VLDL from male hamsters contain more apo B and E while that from females contains more TG and apo A-II/C. 4. Hamsters fed high-C diets secrete more hepatic VLDL-apoprotein B, -free and -cholesterol ester, and biliary cholesterol.     

Effects of dieldrin on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in the suckling and adult rat

Hepatic carbohydrate metabolism was studied in adult and suckling rats given age-specific LD50 doses of dieldrin po. These doses in 5-, 10-, and 60-day-old Wistar rats were 38, 28, and 63 mg/kg, respectively. Plasma glucose and free fatty acids (FFA), and hepatic glycogen, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), fructose-1,6-diphosphatase (FDP), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) were measured 1 and 3 h after administration of the insecticide. Plasma glucose concentrations were elevated (17%) in some 5-day-old rats after 1 h and in all adults after 1 and 3 h (45 and 30%, respectively). Plasma FFA concentrations were decreased (9%) in the 5-day-old rat 1 h after dieldrin. Hepatic glycogen content was reduced in both 5- and 10-day-old pups at 1 hour (22 and 17%, respectively). Hepatic FDP activity was elevated in the 5-day-old rat at 1 h (17%) and was decreased (10%) in the 10-day-old rat at 3 h. Hepatic PEPCK activity was increased in adult animals by 30% 1 h after dieldrin. Furthermore, PEPCK activity was increased at 3 h in rats of all ages (76%, 5-day-old pup; 115%, 10-day-old pup; 56%, 60-day-old adult). Hepatic G6P activity was unaltered by dieldrin. Thus only the activity of hepatic PEPCK is consistently elevated by dieldrin exposure. However, this enhanced PEPCK activity is associated with dieldrin-induced hyperglycemia only in the adult rat.     

Some effects of morphine on lipid metabolism in normal,tolerant and abstinent rats

The effects of morphine on lipid levels of plasma and liver were studied in rats. The first injection of morphine induced a decrease in free fatty acids (FFA) and an increase in the plasma triglyceride level. No changes in phospholipid, cholesterol or cholesterol ester concentrations were observed. In chronic morphinized rats the plasma FFA level was unchanged one hour following the injection of morphine and tolerance developed to the depressive effect of the drug. In contrast, the rise in plasma triglycerides persisted, but to a lesser extent. In these animals, the plasma levels of FFA and of triglycerides were lower than in normal rats, when blood was sampled 24 hours after the last injection of morphine. In abstinent rats, a reversal of action of morphine was noticed. Nalorphine induced an increase in plasma FFA levels in normal and abstinent rats but not in chronically morphine-treated animals. In the liver no significant changes occured in lipids in either acute or chronically morphinized rats. The effects of morphine on plasma lipid levels might be linked to the action of the drug on the secretory activity of the adrenals and also to the depressive effect of the drug on the lipolytic activity of adipose tissue which was demonstrated in vitro.     

Effects of altered photoperiod on circadian clock and lipid metabolism in rats

Disruption of circadian clock timekeeping due to changes in the photoperiod enhances the risk of lipid metabolism disorders and metabolic syndrome. However, the effects of altered photoperiods on the circadian clock and lipid metabolism are not well understood. To explore the effects of altered photoperiods, we developed a rat model where rats were exposed to either short-day or long-day conditions. Our findings demonstrated that altered photoperiods mediated circadian clocks by partly disrupting rhythmicity and shifting phase values of clock genes. We also showed that compared to long-day conditions, rats under short-day conditions exhibited more photoperiodic changes in a variety of physiological outputs related to lipid metabolism, such as significant increases in serum triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein, and leptin levels, as well as increased body weight, fat:weight ratio, and hepatic TG levels. These increments were gained possibly through upregulated expression of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), which partly mediates the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorα (PPARα) to increase the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g coactivator-1β (PGC1β), and fatty acid synthase (Fasn). In addition, the oscillation rhythms of FoxO1, PEPCK, PGC1β, and Fasn expression levels in the livers of rats exposed to a short-day photoperiod were more robust than those exposed to a long-day photoperiod. These findings suggest that a change in photoperiod can partly disrupt the circadian rhythmcity of clock genes, impair lipid metabolism, and promote obesity.     

瘦素对糖尿病大鼠糖脂代谢及炎性因子的影响

目的: 探讨瘦素对糖尿病大鼠糖脂代谢及相关炎症因子的影响。方法: 将健康Wistar雄性大鼠60只随机选取10只作为对照组,50只给予高糖高脂饲料喂养加腹腔内注射链脲佐霉素(STZ,25 mg/kg)的方法诱发并建立糖尿病大鼠模型。并随机分为模型组、瘦素低剂量组、瘦素中剂量组和瘦素高剂量组,每组10只。4组大鼠造模成功后均持续给予高糖高脂饲料喂养,瘦素低、中、高剂量组给予20 μg/kg、50 μg/kg和100 μg/kg,连续5 d。GOD-PAP法检测大鼠血糖(FBG),放射免疫法测定胰岛素含量(Ins),全自动生化分析仪测定血清中三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)。采用酶联免疫方法(ELISA)测定丙二醛(MDA)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)。采用Western blot检测糖尿病大鼠脂肪组织中瘦素表达情况。结果: 与对照组比较,各组大鼠血糖水平均显著升高(P＜0.01);与模型组比较,瘦素中、高剂量大鼠血糖显著降低(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);瘦素高剂量组胰岛素水平显著降低(P＜0.01)。不同剂量瘦素组间比较,给药后三组大鼠FBG及INS无统计学差异(P＞0.05)。与模型组比较,瘦素中、高剂量组TC水平显著下降(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);高剂量组TG、LDL-C水平显著降低(P＜0.05),高剂量组HDL-C水平显著升高(P＜0.01)。不同剂量瘦素组进行组间比较,高剂量组在降低TC、TG、LDL-C水平,升高HDL-C水平优于中、低剂量组(P＜0.05)。Western blot结果显示,与模型组(52.27±10.93)比,瘦素高剂量组100 μg/kg(40.13±9.87)、中剂量组50 μg/kg(44.68±10.23)、低剂量组20 μg/kg(47.35±12.09)脂肪中瘦素表达水平依次降低。结论: 瘦素水平分泌异常是诱发糖尿病因素之一,在给予一定浓度外源性瘦素(100 μg/kg)干预下,能显著降低MDA、TNF-α水平,提高IL-6水平,其机制可能与瘦素在减轻炎症反应、氧化应激,纠正血脂异常紊乱有密切关系。     

Effects of anterior pituitary hormones on hepatic corticosterone metabolism in rats

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of anterior pituitary hormones on hepatic corticosterone metabolism in rats. Hypophysectomy lowered A-ring reduction but did not affect sidechain metabolism. Administration of prolactin, FSH, LH or FSH + LH to hypophysectomized rats affected neither process. Similarly, ACTH or growth hormone, when given alone, did not affect corticosterone metabolism. However, combined treatment with ACTH and growth hormone significantly reduced the rate of ring A metabolism, suggesting that hormonal interactions may be important in the control of hepatic steroid metabolism.     

Effects of aluminum chloride on normal and uremic adult male rats

Normal and uremic adult male rats were given a daily ip injection of 20 mg Al (Al chloride)/kg for 14 d. The results indicate that Al induces a significant decrease in food ingestion, weight gain, and total protein concentration in the plasma. Compared with control animals, very high increases in Al levels were found in plasma and hepatic homogenates (about 36 and 19 times, respectively). In the brain homogenates, the Al increases were lower (about 23%). The brain cholineacetyltransferase activity was reduced: 10.6 and 14.9% in normal and uremic rats, respectively. The nephrectomy and the food restriction did not affect the total protein concentrations in plasma and the cerebral cholineacetyltransferase activity. Both were only found to be reduced in the rats treated by Al chloride.