High-density lipoprotein remodeling affects the osmotic properties of plasma in goldfish under critical salinity

To investigate the stress response and physiological adaptations of goldfish (Carassius auratus) to critical salinity (CS) waters, we analyzed high-density lipoprotein (HDL) stoichiometry, stress markers (cortisol, glucose), and plasma osmotic properties (Na⁺, osmolality, water content) using ichthyology, biochemistry, and proteomics approaches. After 21 days of exposure to CS, plasma concentrations of cortisol, glucose, and Na⁺ increased, indicating stress. Total plasma osmolality (Osm_total) and osmolality generated by inorganic (Osm_inorg) and organic osmolytes (Osm_org) also increased, the latter by ~2%. We associated the increase of Osm_org with (1) increased metabolite concentration (glucose), (2) dissociation of HDL particles resulting in increased HDL number per unit plasma volume (~1.5–2-fold) and (3) increased HDL osmotic activity. HDL remodeling may be the reason for the redistribution of bound and free water in plasma, which may contribute to water retention in plasma and, at the same time, to hemodynamic disturbances under CS conditions. The study's findings suggest that HDL remodeling is an important mechanism for maintaining osmotic homeostasis in fish, which is consistent with current capillary exchange models in vertebrates.