Abstract
BackgroundTree shrew and beijing duck are regarded as animal models resistant to atherosclerosis (AS). This study was carried out to discover the potential mechanism.MethodsBlood samples were collected from healthy men and male animals. Plasma lipid profile and activities of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) were measured, compared and analyzed in human, tree shrew, and Beijing duck.ResultsThe results showed that there were species differences on plasma lipid profile and activities of CETP and PLTP in the three species. Compared with human, tree shrew and beijing duck had higher high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)/total cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C/low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ratios, but lower CETP and PLTP activities. In the three species, CETP and PLTP activities were negatively related with the ratio of HDL-C/LDL-C.ConclusionsThe present study suggested that low plasma CETP and PLTP activities may lead to a high HDL-C/LDL-C ratio and a high resistance to AS finally in tree shrew and beijing duck. Moreover, low PLTP activity may also make the animals resistant to AS by the relative high vitamin E content of apoB-containing lipoproteins and high anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of HDL particles. A detailed study in the future is recommended.
Highlights
Tree shrew and beijing duck are regarded as animal models resistant to atherosclerosis (AS)
Levels of total cholesterol (TC), TG, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were highest in beijing duck, whereas levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were highest in human
Plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL)-C/TC and HDL-C/LDL-C ratios were higher in tree shrew and Beijing duck than in human (Table 2)
Summary
Tree shrew and beijing duck are regarded as animal models resistant to atherosclerosis (AS). Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) are two important factors to transfer lipids in lipoprotein metabolism. CETP transfers cholesteryl ester from high density lipoprotein (HDL) to lipoproteins of lower density, partly in exchange for triglycerides. PLTP promotes the transfer of phospholipids and free cholesterol between lipoproteins [1,2]. It is reported that CETP and PLTP activities are closely related to atherosclerosis (AS) [1,2]. Some vertebrate species can be defined as two distinct groups with low or high atherosclerosis susceptibility [3]. It is showed that plasma lipids transfer activities are significantly different between the two groups, which exert different effects on the atherogenicity of the plasma lipoprotein profile and make the species resistant or susceptible to atherosclerosis [4]
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