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OBJECTIVE: Fish oil supplementation may represent a potential chemopreventive agent for reducing colorectal cancer risk. Fish oil’s mechanism of action is unknown but presumed to be related to eicosanoid modification. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fish oil supplementation on levels of urinary and rectal eicosanoids. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of 2.5 grams of fish oil per day compared to olive oil supplementation over a six month period. Study participants had a history of colorectal adenomas. Randomization was stratified based on the gene variant rs174535 in the fatty acid desaturase 1 enzyme (FADS1), which affects tissue levels of arachidonic acid. RESULTS: A total of 141 subjects were randomized. Urinary prostaglandin E(2) metabolite (PGE-M) was measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months and rectal prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) at baseline and 6 months. Repeated measures linear regression was used to determine the effect of the intervention on each outcome measure. Overall, fish oil supplementation was found to reduce urinary PGE-M production compared to olive oil (P = 0.03). Fish oil did not reduce rectal PGE(2) overall, however it did significantly reduce PGE(2) in the subgroup of participants not using aspirin or NSAIDs (P=0.04). FADS1 genotype did not seem to modify fish oils effects on PGE(2) production. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that fish oil supplementation has a modest but beneficial effect on eicosanoids associated with colorectal carcinogenesis, particularly in those not taking aspirin or NSAIDs.

Bromocriptine mesylate treatment was examined in dogs fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 8 wk. After 4 wk on HFD, daily bromocriptine (Bromo; n = 6) or vehicle (CTR; n = 5) injections were administered. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed before beginning HFD (OGTT1), 4 wk after HFD began (Bromo only), and after 7.5 wk on HFD (OGTT3). After 8 wk on HFD, clamp studies were performed, with infusion of somatostatin and intraportal replacement of insulin (4× basal) and glucagon (basal). From 0 to 90 min (P1), glucose was infused via peripheral vein to double the hepatic glucose load; and from 90 to 180 min (P2), glucose was infused via the hepatic portal vein at 4 mg·kg−1·min−1, with the HGL maintained at 2× basal. Bromo decreased the OGTT glucose ΔAUC0–30and ΔAUC0–120by 62 and 27%, respectively, P < 0.05 for both) without significantly altering the insulin response. Bromo dogs exhibited enhanced net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) compared with CTR (~33 and 21% greater, P1 and P2, respectively, P < 0.05). Nonhepatic glucose uptake (non-HGU) was increased ~38% in Bromo in P2 ( P < 0.05). Bromo vs. CTR had higher ( P < 0.05) rates of glucose infusion (36 and 30%) and non-HGU (~40 and 27%) than CTR during P1 and P2, respectively. In Bromo vs. CTR, hepatic 18:0/16:0 and 16:1/16:0 ratios tended to be elevated in triglycerides and were higher ( P < 0.05) in phospholipids, consistent with a beneficial effect of bromocriptine on liver fat accumulation. Thus, bromocriptine treatment improved glucose disposal in a glucose-intolerant model, enhancing both NHGU and non-HGU.

Dietary intake of PUFA has been associated with colorectal neoplasm risk; however, results from observational studies have been inconsistent. Most prior studies have utilised self-reported dietary measures to assess fatty acid exposure which might be more susceptible to measurement error and biases compared with biomarkers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether erythrocyte phospholipid membrane PUFA percentages are associated with colorectal adenoma risk. We included data from 904 adenoma cases and 835 polyp-free controls who participated in the Tennessee Colorectal Polyp Study, a large colonoscopy-based case–control study. Erythrocyte membrane PUFA percentages were measured using GC. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted OR for risk of colorectal adenomas with erythrocyte membrane PUFA. Higher erythrocyte membrane percentages of arachidonic acid was associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenomas (adjusted OR 1·66; 95 % CI 1·05, 2·62,Ptrend=0·02) comparing the highest tertile to the lowest tertile. The effect size for arachidonic acid was more pronounced when restricting the analysis to advanced adenomas only. Higher erythrocyte membrane EPA percentages were associated with a trend towards a reduced risk of advanced colorectal adenomas (Ptrend=0·05). Erythrocyte membrane arachidonic acid percentages are associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenomas.

Numerous studies have reported an association between genetic variants in fatty acid desaturases (FADS1 and FADS2) and plasma or erythrocyte long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels. Increased levels of n-6 PUFAs have been associated with inflammation and several chronic diseases, including diabetes and cancer. We hypothesized that genetic variants of FADS that more efficiently convert precursor n-6 PUFA to arachidonic acid (AA) may explain the higher burden of chronic diseases observed in African Americans. To test this hypothesis, we measured the level of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids and genotyped the rs174537 FADS variants associated with higher AA conversion among African American and European American populations. We included data from 1,733 individuals who participated in the Tennessee Colorectal Polyp Study, a large colonoscopy-based case-control study. Erythrocyte membrane PUFA percentages were measured using gas chromatography. Generalized linear models were used to estimate association of race and genotype on erythrocyte phospholipid membrane PUFA levels while controlling for self-reported dietary intake. We found that African Americans have higher levels of AA and a higher prevalence of GG allele compared to whites, 81% vs 43%, respectively. Homozygous GG genotype was negatively associated with precursor PUFAs (linoleic [LA], di-homo-γ-linolenic [DGLA]), positively associated with both product PUFA (AA, docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]), product to precursor ratio (AA to DGLA), an indirect measure of FADs efficiency and increased urinary isoprostane F2 (F2-IsoP) and isoprostane F3 (F3-IsoP), markers of oxidative stress. Increased consumption of n-6 PUFA and LA resulting in increased AA and subsequent inflammation may be fueling increased prevalence of chronic diseases especially in African descent.

Previous studies in our laboratory have established the presence of MTP in both white and brown adipose tissue in mice as well as in 3T3-L1 cells. Additional studies demonstrated an increase in MTP levels as 3T3-L1 cells differentiate into adipocytes concurrent with the movement of MTP from the juxtanuclear region of the cell to the surface of lipid droplets. This suggested a role for MTP in lipid droplet biogenesis and/or maturation. To probe the role of MTP in adipocytes, we used a Cre-Lox approach with aP2-Cre and Adipoq-Cre recombinase transgenic mice to knock down MTP expression in brown and white fat of mice. MTP expression was reduced approximately 55% in white fat and 65-80% in brown fat. Reducing MTP expression in adipose tissue had no effect on weight gain or body composition, whether the mice were fed a regular rodent or high fat diet. In addition, serum lipids and unesterified fatty acid levels were not altered in the knockdown mice. Importantly, decreased MTP expression in adipose tissue was associated with smaller lipid droplets in brown fat and smaller adipocytes in white fat. These results combined with our previous studies showing MTP lipid transfer activity is not necessary for lipid droplet initiation or growth in the early stages of differentiation, suggest that a structural feature of the MTP protein is important in lipid droplet maturation. We conclude that MTP protein plays a critical role in lipid droplet maturation, but does not regulate total body fat accumulation.

Ten-week-old Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats at an early stage of diabetes embody metabolic characteristics of obese human patients with type 2 diabetes, such as severe insulin and glucose intolerance in muscle and the liver, excessive postprandial excursion of plasma glucose and insulin, and a loss of metabolic flexibility with decreased lipid oxidation. Metabolic flexibility and glucose flux were examined in ZDF rats during fasting and near-normal postprandial insulinemia and glycemia after correcting excessive postprandial hyperglycemia using treatment with a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2-I) for 7 days. Preprandial lipid oxidation was normalized, and with fasting, endogenous glucose production (EGP) increased by 30% and endogenous glucose disposal (E-Rd) decreased by 40%. During a postprandial hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp after SGLT2-I treatment, E-Rd increased by normalizing glucose effectiveness to suppress EGP and stimulate hepatic glucose uptake; activation of glucokinase was restored and insulin action was improved, stimulating muscle glucose uptake in association with decreased intracellular triglyceride content. In conclusion, SGLT2-I treatment improves impaired glucose effectiveness in the liver and insulin sensitivity in muscle by eliminating glucotoxicity, which reinstates metabolic flexibility with restored preprandial lipid oxidation and postprandial glucose flux in ZDF rats.

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is a unique lipid transfer protein essential for the assembly of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by the liver and intestine. Previous studies in mice identified a splice variant of MTP with an alternate first exon. Splice variants of human MTP have not been reported. Using PCR approaches we have identified two splice variants in human tissues, which we have named MTP-B and MTP-C. MTP-B has a unique first exon (Ex1B) located 10.5 kb upstream of the first exon (Ex1A) for canonical MTP (MTP-A); MTP-C contains both first exons for MTP-A and MTP-B. MTP-B was found in a number of tissues, whereas MTP-C was prominent in brain and testis. MTP-B does not encode a protein; MTP-C encodes the same protein encoded by MTP-A, although MTP-C translation is strongly inhibited by regulatory elements within its 5′-UTR. Using luciferase assays, we demonstrate that the promoter region upstream of exon 1B is quite adequate to drive expression of MTP. We conclude that alternate splicing plays a key role in regulating cellular MTP levels by introducing distinct promoter regions and unique 5′-UTRs, which contain elements that alter translation efficiency, enabling the cell to optimize MTP activity.

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Inflammatory cytokines promote lipolysis and increase FFAs, a cause of endothelial dysfunction and increased atherosclerosis risk. We hypothesized that increased inflammation is associated with increased FFAs, resulting in insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We measured clinical variables, serum FFAs, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA), inflammatory cytokines, markers of endothelial activation, cholesterol concentrations and coronary artery calcium in 156 patients with SLE and 90 controls. We compared FFAs in patients with SLE and controls using Wilcoxon rank sum tests and further tested for the independent association between FFAs and disease status with adjustment for age, race and sex using multivariable regression models. We assessed the relationship between FFAs and continuous variables of interest using Spearman correlation and multivariable regression analysis. Levels of FFAs were higher in patients with SLE than controls (0.55 mmol/l (0.37–0.71) vs 0.44 mmol/l (0.32–0.60), P = 0.02). Levels of FFAs remained significantly higher among patients with SLE after adjustment for age, race and sex ( P = 0.03) but not after further adjustment for body mass index ( P = 0.13). FFA levels did not differ according to the usage of current immunosuppressive medications in univariate and adjusted analysis (all P > 0.05). Among patients with SLE, concentrations of FFAs were higher among those with metabolic syndrome compared to those without (0.66 mmol/l (0.46–0.81) vs 0.52 mmol/l (0.35–0.66), P 0.05) but were positively associated with levels of E-selectin (rho = 0.33, P =

Free fatty acids (FFAs) affect insulin signaling and are implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) increase lipolysis and thus levels of FFAs. We hypothesized that increased IL-6 concentrations are associated with increased FFAs resulting in insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Clinical variables, serum FFAs and inflammatory cytokines, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and coronary artery calcium were measured in 166 patients with RA and 92 controls. We compared serum FFAs in RA and controls using Wilcoxon rank sum tests and further tested for multivariable association by adjusting for age, race, sex and BMI. Among patients with RA, we assessed the relationship between serum FFAs and inflammatory cytokines, HOMA-IR, and coronary artery calcium scores using Spearman correlation and multivariable regression analyses.Serum FFAs did not differ significantly in patients with RA and controls (0.56mmol/L [0.38-0.75] and 0.56mmol/L [0.45-0.70] respectively, p=0.75). Presence of metabolic syndrome was associated with significantly increased serum FFAs in both RA and controls (p=0.035 and p=0.025). In multivariable regression analysis that adjusted for age, race, sex and BMI, serum FFAs were associated with HOMA-IR (p=0.011), CRP (p=0.01), triglycerides (p=0.005) and Framingham risk score (p=0.048) in RA, but not with IL-6 (p=0.48) or coronary artery calcium score (p=0.62).Serum FFAs do not differ significantly in patients with RA and controls. FFAs may contribute to insulin resistance, but are not associated with IL-6 and coronary atherosclerosis in RA.

OBJECTIVE Exercise is an effective intervention to treat fatty liver. However, the mechanism(s) that underlie exercise-induced reductions in fatty liver are unclear. Here we tested the hypothesis that exercise requires hepatic glucagon action to reduce fatty liver. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS C57BL/6 mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) and assessed using magnetic resonance, biochemical, and histological techniques to establish a timeline for fatty liver development over 20 weeks. Glucagon receptor null (gcgr−/−) and wild-type (gcgr+/+) littermate mice were subsequently fed HFD to provoke moderate fatty liver and then performed either 10 or 6 weeks of running wheel or treadmill exercise, respectively. RESULTS Exercise reverses progression of HFD-induced fatty liver in gcgr+/+ mice. Remarkably, such changes are absent in gcgr−/− mice, thus confirming the hypothesis that exercise-stimulated hepatic glucagon receptor activation is critical to reduce HFD-induced fatty liver. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that therapies that use antagonism of hepatic glucagon action to reduce blood glucose may interfere with the ability of exercise and perhaps other interventions to positively affect fatty liver.

Hepatic glucagon action increases in response to accelerated metabolic demands and is associated with increased whole body substrate availability, including circulating lipids. The hypothesis that increases in hepatic glucagon action stimulate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) expression in a manner modulated by fatty acids was tested in vivo. Wild-type ( gcgr+/+) and glucagon receptor-null ( gcgr−/−) littermate mice were studied using an 18-h fast, exercise, and hyperglucagonemic-euglycemic clamps plus or minus increased circulating lipids. Fasting and exercise in gcgr+/+, but not gcgr−/− mice, increased hepatic phosphorylated AMPKα at threonine 172 (p-AMPKThr172) and PPARα and FGF21 mRNA. Clamp results in gcgr+/+ mice demonstrate that hyperlipidemia does not independently impact or modify glucagon-stimulated increases in hepatic AMP/ATP, p-AMPKThr172, or PPARα and FGF21 mRNA. It blunted glucagon-stimulated acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation, a downstream target of AMPK, and accentuated PPARα and FGF21 expression. All effects were absent in gcgr−/− mice. These findings demonstrate that glucagon exerts a critical regulatory role in liver to stimulate pathways linked to lipid metabolism in vivo and shows for the first time that effects of glucagon on PPARα and FGF21 expression are amplified by a physiological increase in circulating lipids.

OBJECTIVE—Elevated triglyceride (TG) is the major plasma lipid abnormality in obese and diabetic patients and contributes to cardiovascular morbidity in these disorders. We sought to identify novel mechanisms leading to hypertriglyceridemia. Resistance to negative feedback signals from adipose tissue in key central nervous system (CNS) energy homeostatic circuits contributes to the development of obesity. Because triglycerides both represent the largest energy depot in the body and are elevated in both the plasma and adipose in obesity and diabetes, we hypothesized that the same neural circuits that regulate energy balance also regulate the secretion of TGs into plasma. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In normal fasting rats, the TG secretion rate was estimated by serial blood sampling after intravascular tyloxapol pretreatment. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) signaling in the CNS was modulated by intracerebroventricular injection of NPY, receptor antagonist, and receptor agonist. RESULTS—A single intracerebroventricular injection of NPY increased TG secretion by 2.5-fold in the absence of food intake, and this was determined to be VLDL by fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC). This effect was recapitulated by activating NPY signaling in downstream neurons with an NPY-Y5 receptor agonist. An NPY-Y1 receptor antagonist decreased the elevated TGs in the form of VLDL secretion rate by 50% compared with vehicle. Increased TG secretion was due to increased secretion of VLDL particles, rather than secretion of larger particles, because apolipoprotein B100 was elevated in FPLC fractions corresponding to VLDL. CONCLUSIONS—We find that a key neuropeptide system involved in energy homeostasis in the CNS exerts control over VLDL-TG secretion into the bloodstream.

Insulin resistance is characterized by increased metabolic uptake of fatty acids. Accordingly, techniques to examine in vivo shifts in fatty acid metabolism are of value in both clinical and experimental settings. Partially metabolizable long chain fatty acid (LCFA) tracers have been recently developed and employed for this purpose: [9,10-3H]-(R)-2-bromopalmitate ([3H]-BROMO) and [125I]-15-(rho-iodophenyl)-3-R,S-methylpentadecanoic acid ([125I]-BMIPP). These analogues are taken up like native fatty acids, but once inside the cell do not directly enter beta-oxidation. Rather, they become trapped in the slower processes of omega and alpha-oxidation. Study aims were to (1) simultaneously assess and compare [3H]-BROMO and [125I]-BMIPP and (2) determine if tracer breakdown is affected by elevated metabolic demands. Catheters were implanted in a carotid artery and jugular vein of Sprague-Dawley rats. Following 5 days recovery, fasted animals (5 h) underwent a rest (n = 8) or exercise (n = 8) (0.6 mi/h) protocol. An instantaneous bolus containing both [3H]-BROMO and [125I]-BMIPP was administered to determine LCFA uptake. No significant difference between [125I]-BMIPP and [3H]-BROMO uptake was found in cardiac or skeletal muscle during rest or exercise. In liver, rates of uptake were more than doubled with [3H]-BROMO compared to [125I]-BMIPP. Analysis of tracer conversion by TLC demonstrated no difference at rest. Exercise resulted in greater metabolism and excretion of tracers with approximately 37% and approximately 53% of [125I]-BMIPP and [3H]-BROMO present in conversion products at 40 min. In conclusion, [3H]-BROMO and [125I]-BMIPP are indistinguishable for the determination of tissue kinetics at rest in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Exercise preferentially exacerbates the breakdown of [3H]-BROMO, making [125I]-BMIPP the analogue of choice for prolonged (30 min) experimental protocols with elevated metabolic demands.

Chylomicrons produced by the human gut contain apolipoprotein (apo) B48, whereas very-low-density lipoproteins made by the liver contain apo B100. To study how these molecules function during lipid absorption, we examined the process as it occurs in apobec-1 knockout mice (able to produce only apo B100; KO) and in wild-type mice (of which the normally functioning intestine makes apo B48, WT). Using the lymph fistula model, we studied the process of lipid absorption when animals were intraduodenally infused with a lipid emulsion (4 or 6 μmol/h of triolein). KO mice transported triacylglycerol (TG) as efficiently as WT mice when infused with the lower lipid dose; when infused with 6 μmol/h of triolein, however, KO mice transported significantly less TG to lymph than WT mice, leading to the accumulation of mucosal TG. Interestingly, the size of lipoprotein particles from both KO and WT mice were enlarged to chylomicron-size particles during absorption of the higher dose. These increased-size particles produced by KO mice were not associated with increased apo AIV secretion. However, we found that the gut of the KO mice secreted fewer apo B molecules to lymph (compared with WT), during both fasting and lipid infusion, leading us to conclude that the KO gut produced fewer numbers of TG-rich lipoproteins (including chylomicron) than the wild-type animals. The reduced apo B secretion in KO mice was not related to reduced microsomal triglyceride transfer protein lipid transfer activity. We propose that apo B48 is the preferred protein for the gut to coat chylomicrons to ensure efficient chylomicron formation and lipid absorption.

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is essential for the assembly of triglyceride-rich apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Previous studies in our laboratory identified a novel splice variant of MTP in mice that we named MTP-B. MTP-B has a unique first exon (1B) located 2.7 kB upstream of the first exon (1A) for canonical MTP (MTP-A). The two mature isoforms, though nearly identical in sequence and function, have different tissue expression patterns. In this study we report the identification of a second MTP splice variant (MTP-C), which contains both exons 1B and 1A. MTP-C is expressed in all the tissues we tested. In cells transfected with MTP-C, protein expression was less than 15% of that found when the cells were transfected with MTP-A or MTP-B. In silico analysis of the 5'-UTR of MTP-C revealed seven ATGs upstream of the start site for MTP-A, which is the only viable start site in frame with the main coding sequence. One of those ATGs was located in the 5'-UTR for MTP-A. We generated reporter constructs in which the 5'-UTRs of MTP-A or MTP-C were inserted between an SV40 promoter and the coding sequence of the luciferase gene and transfected these constructs into HEK 293 cells. Luciferase activity was significantly reduced by the MTP-C 5'-UTR, but not by the MTP-A 5'-UTR. We conclude that alternative splicing plays a key role in regulating MTP expression by introducing unique 5'-UTRs, which contain elements that alter translation efficiency, enabling the cell to optimize MTP levels and activity.

Lipid droplets are intracellular energy storage organelles composed of a hydrophobic core of neutral lipid, surrounded by a monolayer of phospholipid and a diverse array of proteins. The function of the vast majority of these proteins with regard to the formation and/or turnover of lipid droplets is unknown. Our laboratory was the first to report that microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), a lipid transfer protein essential for the assembly of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, was expressed in adipose tissue of humans and mice. In addition, our studies suggested that MTP was associated with lipid droplets in both brown and white fat. Our observations led us to hypothesize that MTP plays a key role in lipid droplet formation and/or turnover. The objective of these studies was to gain insight into the function of MTP in adipocytes. Using molecular, biochemical, and morphologic approaches we have shown: 1) MTP protein levels increase nearly five-fold as 3T3-L1 cells differentiate into adipocytes. 2) As 3T3-L1 cells undergo differentiation, MTP moves from the juxtanuclear region of the cell to the surface of lipid droplets. MTP and perilipin 2, a major lipid droplet surface protein, are found on the same droplets; however, MTP does not co-localize with perilipin 2. 3) Inhibition of MTP activity has no effect on the movement of triglyceride out of the cell either as a lipid complex or via lipolysis. 4) MTP is found associated with lipid droplets within hepatocytes from human fatty livers, suggesting that association of MTP with lipid droplets is not restricted to adipocytes. In summary, our data demonstrate that MTP is a lipid droplet-associated protein. Its location on the surface of the droplet in adipocytes and hepatocytes, coupled with its known function as a lipid transfer protein and its increased expression during adipocyte differentiation suggest a role in lipid droplet biology.

Sexually mature zebrafish were housed as single male-female pairs with or without plastic vegetation for 1, 5, or 10 d for comparison of whole-body cortisol measured by radioimmunoassay. Individually housed male zebrafish were used as controls. In the fish that were pair-housed without vegetation (NVeg), one animal died in 5 of 24 pairs, and one animal was alive but wounded in an additional pair. No deaths or wounds occurred in the fish that were pair-housed with vegetation (Veg). Cortisol levels did not differ between the treatment groups on day 1. On day 5, cortisol values were higher in the Veg group than in the individually housed fish (P < 0.0005) and the NVeg fish (P = 0.004). On day 10, the relationships were inversed: cortisol levels had risen in the individually housed and NVeg groups and had fallen to baseline levels in the Veg group. Cortisol values on day 10 were lower in the Veg group than in the individually housed (P = 0.004) and NVeg (P = 0.05) groups. Cortisol levels in individually housed male zebrafish increased over time. Although this study did not demonstrate a reduction in cortisol levels associated with providing vegetation, this enrichment prevented injury and death from fighting. These findings show how commonly used housing situations may affect the wellbeing of laboratory zebrafish.

Acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) esterifies free cholesterol and stores cholesteryl esters in lipid droplets. Macrophage ACAT1 deficiency results in increased atherosclerotic lesion area in hyperlipidemic mice via disrupted cholesterol efflux, increased lipoprotein uptake, accumulation of intracellular vesicles, and accelerated apoptosis. The objective of this study was to determine whether lipid synthesis is affected by ACAT1. The synthesis, esterification, and efflux of new cholesterol were measured in peritoneal macrophages from ACAT1(-/-) mice. Cholesterol synthesis was increased by 134% (p=0.001) in ACAT1(-/-) macrophages compared to wildtype macrophages. Increased synthesis resulted in a proportional increase in the efflux of newly synthesized cholesterol. Although the esterification of new cholesterol was reduced by 93% (p0.001) in ACAT1(-/-) macrophages, trace amounts of newly synthesized cholesteryl esters were detectable. Furthermore, the expression of SREBP1a mRNA was increased 6-fold in ACAT1(-/-) macrophages compared to wildtype macrophages, suggesting an up-regulation of cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis in ACAT1(-/-) macrophages. Increased cholesterol synthesis and up-regulation of SREBP in ACAT1(-/-) macrophages suggests that ACAT1 affects the regulation of lipid metabolism in macrophages. This change in cholesterol homeostasis may contribute to the atherogenic potential of ACAT1(-/-) macrophages.

The ability of apolipoprotein E (apoE) to be spared degradation in lysosomes and to recycle to the cell surface has been demonstrated by our group and others, but its physiologic relevance is unknown. In this study, we characterized apoE recycling in primary murine macrophages and probed the effects of HDL and apoA-I on this process. In cells pulsed with 125I·apoE bound to VLDL, intact apoE was found in the chase medium for up to 24 h after the pulse. Approximately 27 ± 5% of the apoE internalized during the pulse was recycled after 4 h of chase. Addition of apoA-I and HDL increased apoE recycling to 45 ± 3% and 46 ± 3%, respectively, similar to the amount of apoE recycled after pulsing the cells with 125I·apoE·HDL. In addition, apoA-I-producing macrophages from transgenic mice showed increased apoE recycling at 4 h (38 ± 3%). Increased ABCA1 expression potentiated apoE recycling, suggesting that recycling occurs via ABCA1. Finally, in the presence of apoA-I, recycled apoE exited the cells on HDL-like particles. These results suggest that apoE recycling in macrophages may be part of a larger signaling loop activated by HDL and directed at maximizing cholesterol losses from the cell.

Immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches were utilized to compare the expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and cellular retinol binding protein II (CRBPII) with the expression of apolipoprotein (apo)B and apoA-I along the entire length of the small intestine in mice. MTP is expressed in villus-associated enterocytes along the length of the small intestine. Maximal expression occurs within the first 20% of the intestine and decreases to less than 3% of maximum in the distal third of the intestine. The expression of CRBPII is nearly identical with that of MTP. Peak expression of apoB and apoA-I occurs in the first 25% of the intestine; however, expression in the most distal segments of the intestine is 10%-15% of maximum expression. In mice fed a Western diet for 3 weeks the expression of MTP and CRBPII was elevated in the distal regions of the intestine, whereas the expression patterns for apoB and apoA-I were similar to those found in mice on control diets. We conclude that the patterns of expression, as well as the regulation of MTP and CRBPII, are similar. However, the expression and regulation of these two proteins differ from those of apoB and apoA-I. In particular, the expression of MTP is not coordinated with the expression of apoB, even though the two proteins are essential for the assembly and secretion of chylomicrons.

Objective— Acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) converts intracellular free cholesterol (FC) into cholesteryl esters (CE) for storage in lipid droplets. Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that the deletion of the macrophage ACAT1 gene results in apoptosis and increased atherosclerotic lesion area in the aortas of hyperlipidemic mice. The objective of the current study was to elucidate the mechanism of the increased atherosclerosis. Methods and Results— CE storage and FC efflux were studied in ACAT1 (−/−) peritoneal macrophages that were treated with acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acLDL). Our results show that efflux of cellular cholesterol was reduced by 25% in ACAT1-deficient cells compared with wild-type controls. This decrease occurred despite the upregulated expression of ABCA1, an important mediator of cholesterol efflux. In contrast, ACAT1 deficiency increased efflux of the cholesterol derived from acLDL by 32%. ACAT1-deficient macrophages also showed a 26% increase in the accumulation of FC derived from acLDL, which was associated with a 75% increase in the number of intracellular vesicles. Conclusions— Together, these data show that macrophage ACAT1 influences the efflux of both cellular and lipoprotein-derived cholesterol and propose a pathway for the pro-atherogenic transformation of ACAT1 (−/−) macrophages.

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is essential for the assembly of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. Within the endoplasmic reticulum, it transfers lipid from the membrane to the forming lipoprotein. Recent evidence suggests that it may also function within the Golgi apparatus. To address this hypothesis, we developed a polyclonal antibody to MTP and used it in a series of studies on mouse liver and McArdle-RH7777 (McA) cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of MTP within mouse hepatic-Golgi apparatus-rich fractions. In addition, in vitro lipid transfer assays demonstrated the presence of triglyceride transfer activity within the Golgi fractions. Immunohistochemical studies with mouse liver demonstrated the presence of MTP within all hepatocytes, but not in nonparenchymal cells. The subcellular location of MTP in McA cells was investigated using confocal microscopy. MTP colocalized with the trans-Golgi network (TGN) 38 and Golgi SNARE (soluble N-ethylmalemide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) of 28 kDa (GS28), markers for the trans- and cis-Golgi apparatus, respectively. Morphometric analyses indicated that approximately 17% of the MTP signal colocalized with the TGN38, while 33% of the trans-Golgi marker colocalized with the MTP. Approximately 17% of the MTP signal colocalized with the GS28, whereas 53% of the cis-Golgi marker colocalized with the MTP. The results provide unequivocal evidence for the location of MTP within the Golgi apparatus, and further highlight the importance of this organelle in the assembly of lipoproteins.

Internalization of apoE-containing very low density protein (VLDL) by hepatocytes in vivo and in vitro leads to apoE recycling and resecretion. Because of the role of apoE in VLDL metabolism, apoE recycling may influence lipoprotein assembly or remnant uptake. However, apoE is also a HDL protein, and apoE recycling may be related to reverse cholesterol transport. To investigate apoE recycling, apoE−/− mouse hepatocytes were incubated (pulsed) with wild-type mouse lipoproteins, and cells and media were collected at chase periods up to 24 h. When cells were pulsed with VLDL, apoE was resecreted within 30 min. Although the mass of apoE in the media decreased with time, it could be detected up to 24 h after the pulse. Intact intracellular apoE was also detectable 24 h after the pulse. ApoE was also resecreted when cells were pulsed with HDL. When apoA-I was included in the chase media after a pulse with VLDL, apoE resecretion increased 4-fold. Furthermore, human apoE was resecreted from wild-type mouse hepatocytes after a pulse with human VLDL. Finally, apoE was resecreted from mouse peritoneal macrophages after pulsing with VLDL. We conclude that 1) HDL apoE recycles in a quantitatively comparable fashion to VLDL apoE; 2) apoE recycling can be modulated by extracellular apoA-I but is not affected by endogenous apoE; and 3) recycling occurs in macrophages as well as in hepatocytes, suggesting that the process is not cell-specific.

Background: Recent studies indicate marginal biotin deficiency is more common than previously thought. That conclusion’s validity rests on two indicators of biotin status that depend on renal function. Objective: Assessing the validity of two indicators of biotin status that do not depend upon renal function: 1) activity of the biotin-dependent enzyme propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC) in lymphocytes and 2) accumulation of odd-chain fatty acids in the lipids of plasma and erythrocytes. Design: Marginal biotin deficiency was induced in 11 healthy adults by egg-white feeding for 28 days. Blood and 24-h urine samples were collected before commencing the diet and twice weekly thereafter. After depletion, biotin status was restored with a general diet with or without 80 μg/day or 328 nmol/day biotin supplement. Activity of PCC was determined by an optimized NaH 14CO3 incorporation assay. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. Results: With time on the egg-white diet, lymphocyte PCC activity decreased significantly (P

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is unique among the different apoproteins because of its many functions in the assembly, processing, and removal of plasma lipoproteins. Some of these functions require the presence of apoE inside the cell or in close association with its outer membrane. For example, the presence of apoE increases triglyceride content in newly formed very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), whereas the fast removal of chylomicrons requires the presence of a cellular pool of apoE ready to surface and bind to membrane proteoglycans and possibly to lipoprotein receptors such as the LDL receptor-related protein (LRP). Our recent discovery that VLDL-apoE internalized by hepatocytes is partially protected from lysosomal degradation and recycles through the Golgi apparatus suggests that the biologic cycle of apoE may not be concluded when the lipoprotein is taken up by the cell, and that recycling apoE may have a physiologic role in lipoprotein assembly, remnant removal, and cholesterol efflux.

Interest in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lipoproteins has been stimulated by the association of certain alleles of the human apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and because apolipoprotein E (apoE) is one of the major apolipoproteins in CSF. CSF lipoproteins (d < 1.210 g/ml fraction) are distinct from their plasma counterparts, and in AD patients CSF may contain novel particles. The protein concentration of CSF lipoproteins is reduced in AD patients. Moreover, the molecular distribution of apoE- and apoAII-containing apolipoproteins in CSF is dictated by APOE. The lipid composition suggests that CSF lipoproteins from AD patients may have undergone increased free radical-mediated damage; experimental data support the possibility that this may occur both before and after lipoprotein assembly. Finally, human CSF lipoproteins oxidized ex vivo are neurotoxic to neuronal cells in culture and disrupt microtubule structure, an activity not observed with oxidized bovine CSF lipoproteins. CSF lipoproteins may represent a means whereby apoE influences the outcome of free radical-mediated damage to brain.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is the ligand for recep- tor-mediated clearance of remnant lipoproteins. ApoE at concentrations only 10% of normal, achieved through trans- plantation of wild-type marrow into apoE( 2 / 2 ) mice, is sufficient for the maintenance of normal serum lipid and lipoprotein levels. The goal of the present study was to identify the minimal concentration of serum apoE still af- fecting cholesterol levels, and to determine whether any ef- fects on remnant clearance below this level of apoE were de- tectable. ApoE( 1 / 1 ) marrow was mixed with apoE( 2 / 2 ) marrow in proportions of 1, 5, 10, and 25% to make chi- meric mice with serum levels of apoE ranging from 0.005 to 0.46 mg/dl. Analysis of serum cholesterol and apoE levels demonstrated a positive correlation between apoE levels and cholesterol reduction ( r 5 0.83), with levels of 0.04 mg/dl representing the functional threshold level. There were no differences in lipoprotein profiles and clearance between apoE( 2 / 2 ) mice and mice with serum apoE of less than 0.04 mg/dl, as assessed by FPLC, non-denaturing gel elec- trophoresis, and turnover studies. However, electron mi- croscopy of negative stains showed fewer lipoprotein parti- cles with a diameter of , 30 nm in the serum of these mice compared to apoE( 2 / 2 ) mice. These data demonstrate that the threshold of serum apoE resulting in cholesterol re- duction is 0.04 mg/dl, and indicate that apoE below this level affects lipoprotein size distribution possibly by accel- erating the clearance of smaller remnants. —Hasty, A. H., M. F. Linton, L. L. Swift, and S. Fazio. Determination of the lower threshold of apolipoprotein E resulting in remnant lipoprotein clearance. J. Lipid Res. 1999. 40: 1529-1538.

Aged homozygous apolipoprotein E gene-deficient (apoE -/-) mice have been proposed as an experimental model for the role of human apoE isoforms in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, results from different laboratories have been in conflict regarding the presence or absence of neurodegeneration in these mice. Moreover, despite apoE being the major lipid trafficking molecule in the central nervous system, there has been no investigation of brain lipid levels in apoE -/- mice. Here we have examined male and female apoE -/- and control mice aged 10 to 12 months, testing the hypothesis that lack of apoE leads to some of the neuropathological changes seen in AD. Our results failed to demonstrate significant neurodegeneration, histopathological changes, or reduction in cerebral cortical synaptophysin in apoE -/- mice. However, we did observe a significant reduction in cerebral cortical phospholipids and their constituent fatty acids, as well as elevated lipid peroxidation products, in apoE -/- mice compared to apoE +/+ mice with the same genetic background. Our results suggest that the brains of aged apoE -/- mice display some of the lipid abnormalities associated with AD; however, these changes alone, at the magnitudes achieved in the apoE -/- mice, do not directly lead to the major neurodegenerative changes of AD.

Following the internalization of low density lipoprotein (LDL) by the LDL receptor within cells, both the lipid and the protein components of LDL are completely degraded within the lysosomes. Remnant lipoproteins are also internalized by cells via the LDL receptor as well as other receptors, but the events following the internalization of these complexes, which use apolipoprotein E (apoE) as their ligand for receptor capture, have not been defined. There is evidence that apoE-containing beta-very low density lipoproteins follow differential intracellular routing depending on their size and apoE content and that apoE internalized with lipoproteins can be resecreted by cultured hepatocytes and fibroblasts. In the present studies, we addressed the question of apoE sparing or recycling as a physiologic phenomenon. Remnant lipoproteins (d1.019 g/ml) from normal mouse plasma were iodinated and injected into normal C57BL/6 mice. Livers were collected at 10, 30, 60, and 120 min after injection, and hepatic Golgi fractions were prepared for gel electrophoresis analysis. Golgi preparations were analyzed for galactosyltransferase enrichment (40-fold above cell homogenate) and by appearance of the Golgi stacks and vesicles on electron microscopy. Iodinated apoE was consistently found in the Golgi fractions peaking at 10 min and disappearing by 2 h after injection. Although traces of apoB48 were present in the Golgi fractions, the apoE/apoB ratio in the Golgi was 50-fold higher compared with serum. Quantitatively similar results were obtained when the very low density lipoprotein remnants were injected into mice deficient in either apoE or the LDL receptor, indicating that the phenomenon of apoE recycling is not influenced by the production of endogenous apoE and is not dependent on the presence of LDL receptors. In addition, radioactive apoE in the Golgi fractions was part of d = 1.019-1.21 g/ml complexes, indicating an association of recycled apoE with either newly formed lipoproteins or the internalized complexes. These studies show that apoE recycling is a physiologic phenomenon in vivo and establish the presence of a unique pathway of intracellular processing of apoE-containing remnant lipoproteins.

The major apolipoproteins (apo) on human cere- brospinal fluid lipoproteins are apoA-I and apoE. Given the association between inheritance of the « 4 allele of the apoE gene (APOE4) and increased susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease, we tested the hypothesis that cerebrospinal fluid apolipoproteins may be influenced by APOE genotype and Alzheimer's disease. Lipoprotein fractions (d , 1.210 g/ ml) were isolated from cerebrospinal fluid obtained from individuals with different APOE genotypes and with or with- out pathologically verified Alzheimer's disease. Apolipopro- teins were separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electro- phoresis and identified by silver nitrate staining, Western blotting, and N-terminal amino acid sequencing. Four pro- tein species were detected by silver nitrate staining in sub- jects with an APOE3 allele: apoA-I, apoE monomer, apoE- apoA-II heterodimer, and apoE homodimer. In APOE4 homozygotes, only apoA-I and apoE monomer were de- tected. ApoA-II homodimer was demonstrated in all sub- jects by Western blotting. The relative levels of apoE- and apoA-II-containing apolipoproteins correlated with APOE genotype but were not altered by Alzheimer's disease. In contrast to apoE, no apoA-II immunoreactivity was observed with pathological structures in Alzheimer's disease brain. These differences in cerebrospinal fluid apolipoproteins may influence lipoprotein trafficking and may be an ele- ment in the stratification of risk for Alzheimer's disease with APOE genotype.— Montine, K. S., C. N. Bassett, J. J. Ou, W. R. Markesbery, L. L. Swift, and T. J. Montine. Apolip- oprotein E allelic influence on human cerebrospinal fluid apolipoproteins. J. Lipid Res. 1998. 39: 2443-2451.

Arachidonic acid and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) are reported to induce reinitiation of meiosis in oocytes of the surf clam Spisula sachalinensis from the Sea of Japan (Varaksin et al., Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 101C, 627-630 (1992). As the Atlantic surf clam Spisula solidissima is a commonly used model for the study of meiosis reinitiation, we examined these cells for the possible occurrence of lipoxygenases and for the bioactivity of the products. Incubation of [14C]arachidonic acid with homogenates of S. solidissima oocytes led to the formation of two major metabolites: 5R-HETE, a novel lipoxygenase product, and 8R-HETE. The products were identified by HPLC, uv spectroscopy, and GC-MS. The corresponding hydroperoxy fatty acids, the primary lipoxygenase products, were isolated from incubations of ammonium sulfate fractionated oocyte cytosol. Arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids were identified as constituents of S. solidissima oocyte lipids and the free acids were equally good lipoxygenase substrates. We examined the activity of C18 and C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids and their lipoxygenase products on meiosis reinitiation in Spisula solidissima oocytes, using serotonin and ionophore A23187 as positive controls. The fatty acids and their derivatives were inactive. We conclude that in the surf clam, (as in starfish), there are responding and non-responding species in regard to the maturation-inducing activity of the oocyte lipoxygenase products, and that the lipoxygenase has another, as yet uncharacterized, function in oocyte physiology.

We investigated the mechanism by which a selective increase in arterial insulin can suppress hepatic glucose production in vivo. Isotopic (3-3H-glucose) and arteriovenous difference methods were used in overnight-fasted, conscious dogs. A pancreatic clamp (somatostatin, basal portal insulin, and glucagon infusions) was used to control the endocrine pancreas. Equilibration (100 min) and basal (40 min) periods were followed by a 180-min test period. In control dogs (n = 5), basal insulin delivery was continued throughout the study. In the other two groups, peripheral insulin was selectively increased at the beginning of the test period by stopping the portal insulin infusion and infusing insulin peripherally at twice the basal portal rate. One group (INS + FAT; n = 6) received an infusion of 20% intralipid + heparin (0.5 U x kg(-1) x min(-1)) to clamp the nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels during hyperinsulinemia; the other group (INS; n = 7) received only saline during the experimental period. In the INS group, a selective increase in peripheral insulin of 84 pmol/l was achieved (36 +/- 6 to 120 +/- 24 pmol/l, last 30 min) while portal insulin was unaltered (84 +/- 18 pmol/l). In the INS + FAT group, a similar increase in peripheral insulin was achieved (36 +/- 6 to 114 +/- 6 pmol/l, last 30 min); again, portal insulin was unaltered (96 +/- 12 pmol/l). In the control group, basal insulin did not change. Glucagon and glucose remained near basal values in all protocols. In the INS group, NEFA levels dropped from 700 +/- 90 (basal) to 230 +/- 65 micromol/l (last 30 min; P > 0.05), but in the INS + FAT group changed minimally (723 +/- 115 [basal] to 782 +/- 125 micromol/l [last 30 min]). In the INS group, net hepatic glucose output dropped by 6.7 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (P < 0.05), whereas in the INS + FAT group it dropped by 3.9 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (P < 0.05). When insulin levels were not increased (i.e., in the control group), net hepatic glucose output dropped 1.7 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (P < 0.05). In all groups, the net hepatic glucose output data were confirmed by the tracer-determined glucose production data. In the INS group, net hepatic gluconeogenic substrate uptake (alanine, glutamine, glutamate, glycerol, glycine, lactate, threonine, and serine) fell slightly (10.4 +/- 1.3 [basal] to 7.2 +/- 1.3 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) [last 30 min]), whereas in the INS + FAT group it did not change (7.3 +/- 1.5 [basal] to 7.4 +/- 0.6 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) [last 30 min]), and in the control group it increased slightly (9.6 +/- 1.3 [basal] to 10.3 +/- 1.4 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1) [last 30 min). These results indicate that peripheral insulin's ability to regulate hepatic glucose production is partially linked to its inhibition of lipolysis. When plasma NEFA levels were prevented from falling during a selective arterial hyperinsulinemia, approximately 55% of insulin's inhibition of net hepatic glucose output (NHGO) was eliminated. The fall in NEFA levels brings about a redirection of glycogenolytically derived carbon within the hepatocyte such that there is an increase in lactate efflux and a corresponding decrease in NHGO.

Rat hepatic Golgi apparatus-rich fractions were utilized in an in vitro phosphorylation system containing [γ-32P]ATP to investigate the phosphorylation of apolipoproteins (apo) B48 and B100. Our results demonstrate that the Golgi apparatus contains a kinase(s) that phosphorylates both apoB48 and apoB100 as well as 290- and 460-kDa proteins recognized by antibody to apoB. We refer to the latter proteins as apoB57 and apoB90, respectively. Phosphorylations in the presence of Triton X-100, which increases the permeability of the membranes, or alamethicin, an ionophore that facilitates transmembrane diffusion of ATP, indicate that the active site of the kinase is on the luminal side of the membranes. However, studies with EDTA and EGTA, which are inhibitory to the kinase, suggest binding sites for Mg2+ and perhaps Ca2+ on the cytosolic membrane face. Phosphorylation of apoB was not stimulated by cAMP nor inhibited by protein kinase inhibitor peptide (5-24), indicating that cAMP dependent protein kinase was not involved in the phosphorylation process. Sodium carbonate treatment of the phosphorylated fraction, which permits separation of membrane and luminal contents, revealed that phosphorylated apoB90 and apoB57 are associated primarily with the membrane, whereas phosphorylated apoB48 is found in luminal contents as well as with the membranes. Phosphorylated apoB100 was found primarily with the membrane fraction. No evidence was found for phosphorylation of apoB in rough endoplasmic reticulum fractions. These studies demonstrate the importance of the Golgi apparatus as a subcellular site for the phosphorylation of apoB and suggest that apoB phosphorylation may be important in the assembly and secretion of apoB-containing lipoproteins.

Anemia, mental status changes, and fatal respiratory failure complicated a febrile illness in a previously healthy 14-year-old black female. At autopsy, widespread fat emboli and bone marrow necrosis were found. Hemoglobin electrophoresis on an antemortem, pretransfusion specimen revealed hemoglobin S/β thalassemia. Acute parvovirus B19(PV B19) infection was suspected. Postmortem serum and a variety of paraffin-embedded tissues were assayed for PV B19 DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The expected PCR product was identified in the serum specimen and in paraffin-embedded sections of bone marrow, kidney, spleen, parathyroid, thyroid, adrenal, and gastrointestinal tract; lung, liver, ovary, fallopian tube, uterus, brain, heart, and pancreas were negative. PV B19 infection is highly contagious and may be rapidly fatal in children with hemoglobinopathies by several mechanisms, including fat embolism. Therefore, there exists the risk of multiple deaths within a family. The acute infection may be ea...

OBJECTIVE Exercise is an effective intervention to treat fatty liver. However, the mechanism(s) that underlie exercise-induced reductions in fatty liver are unclear. Here we tested the hypothesis that exercise requires hepatic glucagon action to reduce fatty liver. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS C57BL/6 mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) and assessed using magnetic resonance, biochemical, and histological techniques to establish a timeline for fatty liver development over 20 weeks. Glucagon receptor null (gcgr−/−) and wild-type (gcgr+/+) littermate mice were subsequently fed HFD to provoke moderate fatty liver and then performed either 10 or 6 weeks of running wheel or treadmill exercise, respectively. RESULTS Exercise reverses progression of HFD-induced fatty liver in gcgr+/+ mice. Remarkably, such changes are absent in gcgr−/− mice, thus confirming the hypothesis that exercise-stimulated hepatic glucagon receptor activation is critical to reduce HFD-induced fatty liver. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that therapies that use antagonism of hepatic glucagon action to reduce blood glucose may interfere with the ability of exercise and perhaps other interventions to positively affect fatty liver.

To investigate the assembly pathway for hepatic very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), nascent lipoproteins were recovered from a purified, intact rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) fraction isolated from rat liver. Two fractions were recovered by ultracentrifugation. Particles isolated at d 1.006 g/ml were triglyceride-rich particles containing apolipoprotein (apo)B-100 or apoB-48, and apoE with very small amounts of apoA-I. Compared with VLDL recovered from the Golgi apparatus, the particles from the rough ER had less triglyceride, but more cholesteryl ester and phospholipid. The second class of particles isolated between d 1.006 and 1.210 g/ml were phospholipid-rich and contained apoB-48, apoE, and apoA-I. ApoB-100 was a minor component. Radioisotope incorporation studies utilizing [3H]leucine revealed differential rates of labeling of the apoproteins in these two lipoprotein fractions. ApoB-100 and apoE followed similar patterns in both fractions with peak incorporation occurring within 15 min of isotope injection. Incorporation of [3H]leucine into apoB-48 in the dense fraction peaked within 15 min of isotope administration, but peak incorporation in the d 1.006 g/ml fraction did not occur until approximately 30 min after injection. We propose that the two lipoprotein fractions recovered from the rough ER are intermediates in the assembly of VLDL by the liver. Comparison of the composition of these two particles with that of Golgi VLDL supports the sequential assembly of VLDL by the liver. Furthermore, we propose that the initial steps in the assembly of apoB-100- and apoB-48-containing lipoproteins are different with nascent apoB-100-containing particles being formed through the cotranslational association of this apoprotein with lipid while nascent apoB-48-containing VLDL are formed in the rough ER through a two-step process.

The disposition of a mixed meal administered intragastrically was examined in 13 24-h-fasted conscious dogs, using the arteriovenous (AV) difference technique (and isotopic methods in 6 dogs). Postprandial net gut output totaled (in g of glucose equivalents) 42 +/- 6 glucose, 3 +/- 0.3 lactate, 2 +/- 0.2 alanine, and 0.2 +/- 0.0 glycerol. The gut oxidized 2 +/- 1 g of glucose, and 0.2 +/- 0.1 g remained within the intestinal lumen. Of the administered glucose 68 +/- 6% were accounted for, and volatile fatty acid production by the gut (n = 1) accounted for at least an additional 4%. Of the labeled glucose in the meal 82 +/- 5% appeared in the systemic circulation, an apparent overestimate of absorption of glucose from the meal. Cumulative net hepatic uptakes (in g of glucose equivalents) were 4.1 +/- 3.1 glucose, 12.1 +/- 2.1 gluconeogenic amino acids, and 1.5 +/- 0.2 glycerol. Net hepatic glycogen synthesis and lactate and CO2 production accounted for 6.2 +/- 4.1, 9.3 +/- 2.8, and 1.6 +/- 0.8 g of glucose equivalents, respectively. In summary, the AV difference method could account for the gut disposition of about two-thirds of the meal glucose. Nonsplanchnic tissues disposed of threefold more glucose than the liver. Net hepatic uptake of glucose equivalents as gluconeogenic amino acids was threefold > glucose uptake, and net hepatic uptake of gluconeogenic amino acids was > net gut release of gluconeogenic amino acids. In conclusion, the net hepatic uptake of glucose and gluconeogenic substrates provided adequate carbon for net hepatic synthesis of glycogen and production of lactate and CO2. In a net sense, peripheral tissues must have been the source of some of the gluconeogenic carbon taken up by the liver after the meal.

Although numerous methods have been developed for the detection of lipid peroxidation, it is generally recognized that most of these lack specificity and/or sensitivity, particularly when applied to in vivo situations. We have reported recently that a series of prostaglandin F2-like compounds, termed F2-isoprostanes, are formed in vivo from the free radical catalyzed peroxidation of arachidonic acid and appear to be a useful marker of oxidant stress. Because of formation of other products of lipid peroxidation, such as alkanes and malondialdehyde (MDA), are affected by oxygen tension, which may influence their usefulness as markers of oxidant stress, we carried out a systematic study of the generation of F2-isoprostanes at various oxygen concentrations and compared these changes with the generation of MDA. The disappearance of the F2-isoprostane precursor, arachidonic acid, was used as a reference measure. Rat liver microsomes were peroxidized using an iron-ascorbate system. The incubations were carried out in sealed flasks at 37 degrees under N2 and various concentrations of O2 up to 100%. F2-isoprostanes were quantified by mass spectrometry and MDA by the thiobarbituric acid reaction. Microsomal fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. Both MDA and F2-isoprostane formation increased in a time-dependent manner up to 15 min. Their formation correlated with a loss of polyunsaturated fatty acid and with an increase in O2 tension up to 21% O2. At oxygen tensions above 21%, MDA generation continued to increase, while F2-isoprostane generation and arachidonic acid loss did not. Levels of MDA and F2-isoprostanes increased a maximum of 65 and 9.4 times baseline values, respectively. These studies, therefore, define factors that influence the formation of F2-isoprostanes in an in vitro model of lipid peroxidation. Further, they demonstrate that higher O2 tensions do not block formation of F2-isoprostanes and validate their usefulness for assessing lipid peroxidation under high, as well as low, oxygen tension.

Dietary fatty acid modulates glomerular atrial natriuretic peptide receptor. Modification of dietary fatty acid (FA) has been shown to affect the incidence of hypertension and coronary artery disease. We studied whether these effects involve changes in the receptor characteristics of vasoactive substance. Characteristics of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors were examined in glomeruli isolated from rats fed a diet containing 5% in weight ω6, 5% ω3, 20% ω6, 20% ω3 polyunsaturated FA or 20% saturated FA (SFA) for >4 weeks. The FA composition of phospholipids in isolated glomeruli showed an elevation in 20:4 ω6 (arachidonic acid, AA) in 5% ω6, 20% ω6 and 20% SFA, and elevations in 20:5 ω3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) in 5% ω3 and 20% ω3 groups. The radioligand binding study revealed: (1) in 20% FA group, receptor density (Ro, fmol/mg prot) of ANP was significantly decreased compared to 5% group (262 ± 13, n = 8 to l20 ± 13, n = 12) without changes in equilibrium dissociation constant (KD), (2) among high FA (20%) groups, type of FA was essential for determining Ro; higher ω6 was associated with a lower ANP Ro (177 ± 11 vs. 103 ± 3 fmol/mg prot, P < 0.05) and KD (0.43 ± .04 vs. 0.27 ± .02nM, P < 0.05). To examine whether the alteration in receptor characterisitics is mediated by FA, effects of FA were examined in vitro. In cultured mesangial cells, AA, but not EPA, decreased Ro of ANP receptors (48.7 ± 4.8% of control, P < 0.05) without affecting KD. AA-induced down-regulation of ANP receptor was not accompanied by changes in ANP-induced cGMP generation. These results from ex vivo and in vitro studies suggest that dietary FA modulates the glomerular C receptor of ANP. The observed effect of FA on glomerular ANP receptor characteristics raises the possibility of the existence of a novel mechanism through which dietary FA intake affects the cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology through affecting the receptor characterisitcs of vasoactive substances.

Because glycogen storage disease type IA (GSD-IA) is characterized by recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia that promote a marked elevation in blood triglyceride levels, we evaluated plasma lipid levels in 12 patients with GSD-IA on a regular basis. Six of the 12 patients had plasma fatty acid composition measured; because of possible essential fatty acid deficiency, urinary prostaglandin excretion was also measured. All patients had triglyceride levels between 1440 and 6120 mg/dl (16.25 to 69.09 mmol/L) before treatment. After treatment to promote blood glucose levels of 75 to 85 mg/dl (4.2 to 4.7 mmol/L), triglyceride levels in each of 11 patients were between 189 +/- 31 (2.13 +/- 0.35 mmol/L) and 510 +/- 60 mg/dl (5.76 +/- 0.68 mmol/L). The lipoprotein fatty acid composition in six patients showed a substantial elevation in C16:0, C16:1 omega 7, and C18:1 omega 9, but no increase in C20:3 omega 9 (the fatty acid that characteristically increases in essential fatty acid deficiency). In addition, each of the six patients had normal 24-hour urinary excretion of prostaglandin. One patient, whose triglyceride levels remained elevated despite dietary treatment, was given either clofibrate, lovastatin, niacin, or fish oil. With the exception of lovastatin, these agents produced a decrease in triglyceride values for 1 to 2 months; however, by 3 months triglycerides reached pretreatment levels. Combined treatment with clofibrate and niacin resulted in a sustained decrease in plasma triglyceride levels for 4 months. The findings indicate that dietary management of GSD-IA is usually associated with improvements in triglyceride levels; however, patients maintain triglyceride values between 300 and 500 mg/dl (3.38 to 5.65 mmol/L). No patient had biochemical evidence of essential fatty acid deficiency.

Term infants and children appear to adapt to large variations in vitamin intakes. This is supported by the finding of similar blood levels of vitamins despite several-fold differences in intake on a body weight basis. By contrast, the finding of marked elevation of some vitamins and low levels of others seen in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants (less than 1500 g) suggest that this group has less adaptive capacity to high- or low-dose intakes. This indicates that their vitamin intakes need to be more closely aligned with actual needs. This paper reviews previously published data on vitamins A, E, B2, and B6 from VLBW infants receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Vitamin A. VLBW infants are relatively deficient in retinol (R) at birth. During TPN large losses of R onto the delivery sets result in a further decline in stores of R as reflected in a progressive decline in plasma R during TPN. Because of the reported lower incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia associated with intramuscular vitamin A treatment, alternative methods of vitamin A delivery during TPN have been suggested. First, the vitamins were mixed with Intralipid (IL) and, second, retinyl palmitate (RP) rather than R was used. There was little in vitro loss of R when mixed with IL, and in vivo treatment resulted in higher blood levels after 1 month of retinol administration in IL than seen previously (21.4 +/- 4.2 vs 14.1 +/- 3.7 micrograms/dl).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We have developed a new model to study the interaction between diet and genetics in atherogenesis, the cholesterol-fed heterozygous WHHL rabbit. To determine the effects of calcium blockers on atherosclerosis in this model, two groups of heterozygous WHHL rabbits were fed 0.25% cholesterol and 2% peanut oil with (n = 6) and without (n = 6) oral nifedipine (40 mg/kg/day) for 16 weeks. Body weights, serum cholesterol, triglycerides and calcium, and blood pressures were not significantly different between the 2 groups during the study period. Heterozygous WHHL rabbits in the nifedipine group had less aortic surface area with sudanophilic lesions (23 +/- 15% vs. 62 +/- 18%, P less than 0.01) and fewer segments of coronary arteries with lesions (19 +/- 9% vs. 35 +/- 8%, P less than 0.02). Total aortic cholesterol, phospholipid, and calcium were also reduced in nifedipine-treated rabbits compared with untreated animals. We conclude that nifedipine reduced atherosclerosis in this model. Although the mechanism is unknown, it is apparent that nifedipine acts independently of changes in plasma lipids and blood pressure.