The hypertriglyceridaemia of the cobalt chloride-treated rat: A possible mechanism

The cobalt chloride-treated rat is an animal model of induced hypertriglyceridaemia. Associated with the hyperlipaemia is an increase in hepatic triglyceride and decrease in total body lipid content. Lipoprotein lipase (EC.3.1.1.3), the enzyme responsible for regulation of the rate of uptake of triglyceride by adipose tissue was investigated and its activity shown to be reduced by cobalt treatment. Plasma post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity was also reduced in the cobalt chloride-treated rat and plasma clearance of exogenous triglyceride was halved. The heavy metal ions, Zn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺ and Fe⁺⁺, reduced post-heparin lipoprotein lipase activity. These findings suggest a possible mechanism for production of the hypertriglyceridaemia by cobalt chloride involving a decrease in plasma triglyceride clearance coupled with a possible increase in hepatic triglyceride production.