Biosynthesis of lipids in perfused dog aorta and coronary artery: II. Incorporation of [2- 14C]acetate into lipids of two aortic layers and of the coronary artery under the influence of nicotine

Abstract

Dog aortas and coronary arteries were perfused with dog's own serum to study lipid biosynthesis from [2- 14C]acetate under the influence of nicotine in vitro. Nicotine was shown to change the lipid pattern of two aortic layers (media, and intima including several layers of adjacent media = intima), and of the coronary arteries. 14C-incorporation into the total lipids was not markedly influenced in both vessels. The percentage radioactivity, as referred to the absolute total lipid radioactivity, was significantly diminished in the free sterols of both aortic layers, and in the coronary arteries. The absolute 14C-activity of the free sterols was also decreased in the aortic layers, but it was unaffected in the coronary arteries. The unesterified fatty acids of the aortic media, and the sterolesters of the aortic intima showed a significantly elevated absolute 14C-incorporation. Moreover, unequivocal alterations of the absolute radioactivities of the coronary arterial lipids were observed: the 14C-activity of the sterolesters and of the triglycerides was significantly increased; it was only moderately augmented in the unesterified fatty acids, diglycerides, and phosphatides. No clear-cut alterations of the lipid concentrations as far determined were seen. In the present study a modification of the arterial lipid pattern by nicotine was demonstrated. The response of dog coronary arteries was different from aorta. The results are discussed.