Abstract
Cholesterol elimination from the body involves reverse cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues in which the elimination of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by the liver and subsequent biliary excretion as free cholesterol and bile acids are important. In situations of peripheral fat and cholesterol accumulation, such as obesity, these pathways may be overloaded, contributing to increased cholesterol deposition. Leptin has an important role in obesity, suppressing food intake and increasing energy expenditure. This hormone, which is absent in genetically obese ob/ob mice, is also thought to be involved in the coordination of lipid excretion pathways, although available data are somewhat inconsistent. We therefore studied the expression of the hepatic HDL receptor, scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), and the LDL receptor as well as the rate-limiting enzyme in bile acid synthesis, cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (Cyp7a1), in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice and their wild-type controls. In ob/ob mice, protein levels of both LDL receptor and SR-BI were reduced, whereas LDL receptor mRNA levels were increased and those of SR-BI were reduced, regardless of challenge with a 2% cholesterol diet. In ob/ob mice, the enzymatic activity and mRNA for Cyp7a1 were reduced, and the increase in response to dietary cholesterol was blunted. Upon short-term (2 days) treatment with leptin, a dose-dependent increase was seen in the SR-BI protein and mRNA, whereas the Cyp7a1 protein and mRNA were reduced. Our findings indicate that leptin is an important regulator of hepatic SR-BI expression and, thus, HDL cholesterol levels, whereas it does not stimulate Cyp7a1 and bile acid synthesis.
Highlights
Cholesterol elimination from the body involves reverse cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues in which the elimination of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by the liver and subsequent biliary excretion as free cholesterol and bile acids are important
Our findings indicate that leptin is an important regulator of hepatic scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) expression and, HDL cholesterol levels, whereas it does not stimulate Cyp7a1 and bile acid synthesis
We have found that the hepatic HDL receptor, scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), and the LDL receptor are suppressed in ob/ob mice
Summary
Animals—C57BL/6J-ob/ob male mice and littermate controls were purchased from Taconic, Ry, Denmark. For the leptin treatment experiments, leptin (Peprotech, London, UK) was dissolved in sodium citrate buffer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Plasma Leptin and Insulin—Plasma leptin levels were determined by a mouse leptin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (R&D Systems, Oxon, UK) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Plasma insulin levels were analyzed using a rodent insulin RIA kit according to manufacturer’s instructions (Linco, St. Charles, MI). Proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes and incubated with 125I-labeled rabbit -VLDL. SR-BI was assayed by immunoblot using liver membrane proteins and a rodent polyclonal antibody (Novus Biologicals Inc., Littleton, CO), as described previously [15]. A Cyp7a1 Western blot was performed on hepatic microsomal proteins prepared as described previously [17]. Enzymatic Activities—Cholesterol-7␣-hydroxylase activity was assayed in hepatic microsomal membranes as described previously [17]. Means and Ϯ S.E. are shown (n ϭ 4)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
