Plasma apoA-I Concentrations Research Articles

Influence of dietary lipids on hepatic mRNA levels of proteins regulating plasma lipoproteins in baboons with high and low levels of large high density lipoproteins.

Selective breeding of baboons has produced families with increased plasma levels of large high density lipoproteins (HDL1) and very low (VLDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins when the animals consume a diet enriched in cholesterol and saturated fat. High HDL1 baboons have a slower cholesteryl ester transfer, which may account for the accumulation of HDL1, but not of VLDL and LDL. To investigate the mechanism of accumulation of VLDL + LDL in plasma of the high HDL1 phenotype, we selected eight half-sib pairs of baboons, one member of each pair with high HDL1, the other member with little or no HDL1 on the same high cholesterol, saturated fat diet. Baboons were fed a chow diet and four experimental diets consisting of high and low cholesterol with corn oil, and high and low cholesterol with lard, each for 6 weeks, in a crossover design. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins and hepatic mRNA levels were measured on each diet. HDL1 phenotype, type of dietary fat, and dietary cholesterol affected plasma cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) B concentrations, whereas dietary fat alone affected plasma triglyceride and apoA-I concentrations. HDL1 phenotype and dietary cholesterol alone did not influence hepatic mRNA levels, whereas dietary lard, compared to corn oil, significantly increased hepatic apoE mRNA levels and decreased hepatic LDL receptor and HMG-CoA synthase mRNA levels. Hepatic apoA-I message was associated with cholesterol concentration in HDL fractions as well as with apoA-I concentrations in the plasma or HDL. However, hepatic apoB message level was not associated with plasma or LDL apoB levels. Total plasma cholesterol, including HDL, was negatively associated with hepatic LDL receptor and HMG-CoA synthase mRNA levels. However, compared with low HDL1 baboons, high HDL1 baboons had higher concentrations of LDL and HDL cholesterol at the same hepatic mRNA levels. These studies suggest that neither overproduction of apoB from the liver nor decreased hepatic LDL receptor levels cause the accumulation of VLDL and LDL in the plasma of high HDL1 baboons. These studies also show that, in spite of high levels of VLDL + LDL and HDL1, the high HDL1 baboons had higher levels of mRNA for LDL receptor and HMG-CoA synthase. This paradoxical relationship needs further study to understand the pathophysiology of VLDL and LDL accumulation in the plasma of animals with the high HDL1 phenotype.

Effects of thyroid status and fasting on hepatic metabolism of apolipoprotein A-I

Metabolism of apolipoprotein (apo)A-I was studied in normal and chow-fed hyperthyroid rats, in 24-h fasted untreated male rats, and in rats after thyroparathyroidectomy (TXPTX). Rats were made hyperthyroid by administration of T3 (9.6 micrograms/day) or T4 (30 micrograms/day) with an Alzet osmotic minipump. Hyperthyroidism produced a similar two- to threefold elevation in plasma levels of apoA-I in male or female animals. During treatment with T3, plasma levels of T3 ranged from 200 to 400 ng/dl and did not correlate with plasma apoA-I levels. The net mass secretion and synthesis ([3H]leucine incorporation) of apoA-I by perfused livers from male hyperthyroid rats was elevated, while secretion of albumin was not different than that of euthyroid rats. Furthermore, the incorporation of [3H]leucine into total perfusate and hepatic protein was not altered by hyperthyroidism. The effect of thyroid hormone on apoA-I synthesis, therefore, does not appear to be a general effect on protein synthesis. After longer periods of treatment (28 days) with T3 (9.6 micrograms/day), hepatic apoA-I production decreased from that observed after 7 or 14 days of treatment, yet plasma apoA-I concentrations remained elevated. Plasma T3 decreased from 100 ng/dl to 40 ng/dl, in the hypothyroid rat resulting from TXPTX, but the plasma concentration of apoA-I did not change during the 2-week experimental period. The net secretion of apoA-I by livers from hypothyroid animals was depressed and albumin was uneffected compared to the euthyroid. Overnight fasting of euthyroid rats did not alter hepatic apoA-I secretion or plasma apoA-I levels, although under fasting conditions we had reported that hepatic output of apoB and E of VLDL is depressed. The addition of oleic acid to the perfusion medium, sufficient to stimulate VLDL production, did not affect net hepatic secretion of apoA-I by livers from euthyroid, hyperthyroid, or hypothyroid rats. In summary, hepatic synthesis of apoA-I appears to be controlled independently of other apo-lipoproteins and secretory proteins (albumin). Hepatic apoA-I synthesis is sensitive to thyroid status, increased in the hyperthyroid and decreased in the hypothyroid state. The specific stimulation of hepatic synthesis and secretion of apoA-I in the hyperthyroid state, however, tends to normalize over an extended period, perhaps from compensatory effects of a hormonal nature.

Interaction of free apolipoproteins with macrophages. Formation of high density lipoprotein-like lipoproteins and reduction of cellular cholesterol.

Mouse peritoneal macrophages, loaded with cholesteryl ester by incubating with acetylated human low density lipoprotein containing [3H]cholesteryl oleate, were exposed to purified human apolipoproteins (apo) A-I, A-II, C-III, or E in aqueous solutions. Unesterified cholesterol was released into the medium in the presence of apoA-I, -A-II, or -E, accompanied by the decrease in intracellular cholesteryl ester. ApoC-III had no such effects. Apparent Km values of the cholesterol release were estimated as 0.11, 0.14, and 0.24 microM, and Vmax values 35, 11, and 14 micrograms of cholesterol/mg of cell protein/6 h, for apoA-I, -A-II, and -E, respectively. The products formed with apoA-I, -A-II, or -E in the media were analyzed by density gradient ultracentrifugation when the cells were preloaded with [3H]cholesteryl oleate-acetylated low density lipoproteins and [3H]choline. Free [3H]cholesterol, [3H]phosphatidylcholine, and [3H]sphingomyelin were detected coincidentally as a symmetric peak at the density of 1.1 in each case. In the complex of lipids and apoA-I or apoA-II, the weight ratios of apolipoprotein/cholesterol/phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin/lysophosphatidyl- choline were estimated as 2.2:1:0.6:0.2:0.07 and 4.0:1:0.5:0.3:0.07, respectively. Both of the products formed with apoA-I and -A-II migrated slower than plasma high density lipoprotein in electrophoresis on agarose gel. Because the Km values are as low as 1:340-400, 1:140-160, and 1:6-8 of plasma concentrations of apoA-I, -A-II, and -E, respectively, the results have physiological relevance for a function of the free apolipoproteins in interstitial fluid to form high density lipoprotein and to reduce cellular cholesterol.

Effect of chronic renal failure on high-density lipoprotein kinetics

Plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentration and high density lipoprotein (HDL) kinetics were determined in control subjects and patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Results demonstrated that plasma triglyceride (TG) concentration was significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in patients with CRF, associated with a significant increase in plasma VLDL-cholesterol (P less than 0.002) and a significant decrease (P less than 0.05) in plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration. The rate of removal of 125I-apoAI/HDL from plasma was slower (P less than 0.001) in the patients with CRF, resulting in an increase in the residence time of 125I-apoAI/HDL (P less than 0.001) and a decrease in the fractional catabolic rate (P less than 0.001). Since plasma apoAI concentration was lower in patients with CRF, total apoAI/HDL synthetic rate was also significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased. These data provide support for the view that low plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations in patients with CRF are related to decreases in the synthetic rate of apoAI/HDL.

Differential effects of dietary fat on the tissue-specific expression of the apolipoprotein A-I gene: relationship to plasma concentration of high density lipoproteins.

Isocaloric substitution of polyunsaturated fat for saturated fat reduces concentrations of total plasma cholesterol and high density lipoproteins (HDL) in nonhuman primates. The biochemical mechanisms through which polyunsaturated fat lowers plasma HDL concentrations are not well understood but must involve changes in HDL production or HDL clearance from plasma, or both. To determine whether dietary polyunsaturated fat (P/S = 2.2) alters apolipoprotein (apo) A-I production, African green monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) were fed diets containing polyunsaturated fat or saturated fat (P/S = 0.3) each in combination with high (0.8 mg/kcal) and low (0.03 mg/kcal) amounts of dietary cholesterol. Animals fed polyunsaturated fat at either cholesterol level had lower plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Plasma apoA-I concentration was reduced by 16% by polyunsaturated fat in the high cholesterol group. The rate of hepatic apoA-I secretion, as estimated by the accumulation of perfusate apoA-I during recirculating liver perfusion, was reduced by 19% in animals consuming the high cholesterol, polyunsaturated fat diet. Hepatic apoA-I mRNA concentrations, as measured by DNA-excess solution hybridization, also were reduced by 22% in the high cholesterol, polyunsaturated fat-fed animals. In contrast, intestinal apoA-I mRNA concentrations were not altered by the type of dietary fat. Plasma apoA-II and hepatic apoA-II mRNA concentrations also were not altered by the type of dietary fat. These data indicate that dietary polyunsaturated fat can selectively alter the expression of the apoA-I gene in a tissue-specific manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma apolipoprotein changes in the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction of human subjects fed a fat-rich meal

Twenty two subjects (9 males, 13 females) were fed a fat-rich meal (1 g of fat/kg body weight). Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) were isolated by ultracentrifugation (d less than 1.006 g/ml) from blood drawn 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 hr after the meal. Plasma triglyceride increased then decreased postprandially, while plasma apoA-I and apoB concentrations decreased. TRL triglyceride, TRL total protein, and TRL apoB concentrations all increased then decreased after the fat-rich meal. Postprandial rise in plasma triglyceride was significantly correlated with fasting plasma triglyceride levels (r = 0.66, P less than 0.001); postprandial rise in TRL triglyceride was significantly correlated with fasting TRL triglyceride levels (r = 0.58, P less than 0.01); postprandial rise in TRL apoB was not, however, significantly correlated with fasting TRL apoB levels (r = 0.37, N.S.). TRL apolipoproteins were separated by polyacrylamide gradient (4-22.5%) gel electrophoresis and protein bands were scanned in two dimensions with a laser densitometer. Relative postprandial changes in the concentration of the TRL apolipoproteins were determined. TRL apoB-100, apoB-48, apoE, and apoC increased then decreased postprandially. The increase in TRL apoB-100 after the fat-rich meal was confirmed in 8 subjects by direct measurement of apoB-100 with a monoclonal antibody ELISA assay. ApoA-I concentration in TRL was unchanged. Albumin in the TRL fraction was significantly increased 12 hr after the meal. Subjects with a greater magnitude of postprandial triglyceridemia had a greater increase in TRL triglyceride and TRL apoB, but their TRL apoB-100/apoB-48 ratios were not different from subjects with less pronounced triglyceridemia. Assuming that plasma TRL containing apoB-100 are predominantly derived from the liver, our data suggest that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from both the liver and intestine make a significant contribution to postprandial triglyceridemia.

Stimulation of intestinal secretion of apolipoprotein AI by triiodothyronine

Rats were made hyperthyroid with triiodothyronine in an osmotic minipump implanted intraperitoneally for one week. Intestinal lymph was collected from euthyroid and hyperthyroid rats for 40-55 hours. The rate of apolipoprotein AI (apo AI) secreted into the lymph by hyperthyroid rats exceeded that of euthyroid rats (149 +/- 9 vs 95 +/- 2 micrograms/hr), and was not associated with a proportional increase in the output of triglyceride. The fall in plasma concentration of apoAI in the euthyroid (10 mg/dl) and hyperthyroid (23 mg/dl) could be accounted for by the loss due to diversion of lymph. It appears that the intestine may contribute significantly to the increased plasma levels of apoAI observed in the hyperthyroid rats.

Exercise Training and the Apolipoprotein A-I to HDL-Cholesterol Ratio

Plasma concentration of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the major apoprotein of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), has been shown to be lower in patients with coronary obstructive disease than in patients without disease. Regular endurance-exercise training results in increased HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration, but its effects on apoA-I are uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to compare plasma apoA-I and HDL-C concentrations in three groups of healthy, nonsmoking middle-aged men (range, 31–54 yr) with three distinctly different patterns of habitual exercise: sedentary (N = 15), low exercise (N = 8, ran an average of 11 miles/wk), and high exercise (N = 8, ran an average of 37 miles/wk). Dietary composition (percent kilocalories from carbohydrates, fats, protein, and alcohol consumption) was similar for all groups. The high-exercise group had significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), lower body fatness, and higher HDL-C levels than the other groups. Apolipoprotein A-I concentration was not different for the three groups and was not significantly correlated with VO2max, miles run per week, dietary fat intake, or body fatness. However, the ratio of apoA-I to HDL-C (apoA-I/HDL-C) was significantly lower in the high-exercise group (2.7 \Pm 0.2 [mean \Pm SEM]) than in the sedentary group (4.3 \Pm 0.3). We conclude that regular exercise training in healthy middle-aged men is not associated with an increased plasma apoA-I concentration, but is associated with a lower apoA-I/HDL-C. This suggests the possibility of an increased ability of apoA-I to bind cholesterol into the HDL particle in exercise-trained subjects.

Plasma lipoproteins and regulation of hepatic metabolism of fatty acids in altered thyroid states.

This article reviews our understanding of effects of thyroid hormone excess and deficiency on hepatic metabolism of FFA, and consequent effects on production, secretion, and metabolism of plasma lipoproteins. In the hyperthyroid state the following alterations are observed. Fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis are stimulated simultaneously with a paradoxical stimulation of fatty acid synthesis, which may be linked by virtue of a blunted response of mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPT-I) to malonyl coenzyme A (CoA). Esterification of fatty acid to triglyceride (TG) is reduced, as is the secretion of the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) (including VLDL TG, cholesterol, and apoprotein); this may be due, in part, to decreased concentrations of glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) in the hepatic cell. In the intact animal or patient, however, serum TG concentration is variable, which may reflect increased adipose tissue lipolysis and elevated concentrations of plasma FFA, which would tend to drive VLDL secretion by the liver. Clearance of the VLDL and its metabolic product, the low density lipoprotein (LDL), is increased, resulting in decreased plasma total and LDL cholesterol. Although high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol may also be reduced, the ratio of LDL/HDL cholesterol is further decreased. The regulatory role of the lipoprotein apoproteins is less clear, but hepatic apolipoprotein (apo) B secretion (required for VLDL) is diminished, while apo-AI secretion (required for HDL) is stimulated, perhaps both reflecting rates of synthesis. Plasma concentrations of apo-AI are variable, dependent on relative rates of secretion and clearance. In the hypothyroid, many of these effects are reversed, which results in hyperlipoproteinemias and greater risk for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Apolipoprotein changes associated with the plasma lipid-regulating activity of gemfibrozil in cholesterol-fed rats.

Gemfibrozil (Lopid) is a new plasma lipid-regulating drug that decreases very low and low density lipoprotein (VLD/LDL) and increases high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations in man. The present experiments tested the effects of gemfibrozil on plasma lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in rats fed high fat/high cholesterol diets. Compared to chow-fed rats, cholesterol feeding for 2 weeks (20% olive oil/2% cholesterol) produced the expected increases in VLDL and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) while lowering plasma HDL. This was documented by using three methods of lipoprotein isolation: sequential ultracentrifugation, density gradient ultracentrifugation, and agarose gel filtration. Gemfibrozil gavaged at 50 mg/kg per day for 2 weeks during cholesterol feeding prevented these changes such that lipoprotein patterns were similar to those in chow-fed animals. Whole plasma apoE and apoA-I concentrations were decreased and apoB increased due to cholesterol feeding as determined by electroimmunoassay, but again gemfibrozil treatment prevented these diet-induced alterations. Gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns of the total d less than 1.21 g/ml lipoprotein fractions reflected the changes in apolipoprotein concentrations and further demonstrated a greater increase of apoBl compared to apoBh in cholesterol-fed rats. Gemfibrozil lowered the concentration of both apoB variants and prevented the shift of apoE from HDL to lower density lipoproteins. Changes in the distribution of apoE were confirmed using agarose gel column chromatography followed by electroimmunoassay. These methods also revealed a shift of apoA-IV from HDL to the d greater than 1.21 g/ml, lipoprotein-free fraction with gemfibrozil treatment when blood was taken from fasted or postabsorptive animals. Since it was also noted that in chow-fed rats more apoA-IV was present in the d greater than 1.21 g/ml fraction in the postabsorptive or fed state compared to fasted animals, it could be postulated that the shift of apoA-IV into this fraction in gemfibrozil-treated rats is related to an accelerated clearance of chylomicrons. It is concluded that gemfibrozil largely prevents the accumulation of abnormal lipoproteins in this model of dyslipoproteinemia, and that apoE may play a critical role in this normalization process.

Effects of triiodothyronine and propylthiouracil on plasma lipoproteins in male rats

Hyperalphalipoproteinemia, characterized by increased plasma concentrations of apoA-I and of HDL lipid and protein, was observed in rats treated with triiodothyronine (T(3)) for 7 days. The increase in the plasma HDL apoproteins was general for apoC, apoE plus A-IV, and apoA-I, as determined by isoelectric focusing. Hypotriglyceridemia, characterized by decreased concentrations of VLDL and apoB, was also observed in the hyperthyroid state. Although in the mildly hypothyroid animals (propylthiouracil-treated), hepatic metabolism of free fatty acid is shifted toward esterification to triglyceride and VLDL formation, as we reported previously, plasma HDL and apoA-I concentrations were not different from control plasma values, while the d 1.006-1.063 g/ml (IDL + LDL) lipoprotein fraction tended to be increased. In general, the proportion of apoE in the (IDL + LDL) fraction of the hypothyroid rat was greater than in controls and hyperthyroid animals, while the proportion of apoE tended to be lower in VLDL from both hypo- and hyperthyroid rats than in VLDL from controls. An enhanced release of apoA-I by perfused livers isolated from rats treated with T(3) was also observed; this enhanced output of apoA-I may explain, in part, the hyperalphalipoproteinemia observed in these rats. The depressed net output of apoA-I in vitro by perfused livers from rats treated with propylthiouracil (PTU) was not expressed in a statistically significant diminished plasma concentration of HDL or apoA-I in the intact animals. Treatment with T(3) also resulted in modification of the content of essential fatty acids in various lipid classes. Linoleic acid residues were significantly reduced and arachidonic acid content was increased in plasma phospholipids and esterified cholesterol in T(3)-treated rats. However, the relative fatty acid composition of unesterified fatty acids and triglyceride fatty acids was not altered by T(3) treatment. PTU treatment had no effect on fatty acid distribution in any of the plasma lipids. Secretion of biliary lipids was increased in perfused livers from T(3)-treated rats, while treatment with PTU did not affect release of lipids in the bile. These observations suggest a regulatory role for thyroid hormones that determine concentration and composition of plasma HDL and other lipoproteins.-Wilcox, H. G., W. G. Keyes, T. A. Hale, R. Frank, D. W. Morgan, and M. Heimberg. Effects of triiodothyronine and propylthiouracil on plasma lipoproteins in male rats.

Tangier disease. High density lipoprotein deficiency due to defective metabolism of an abnormal apolipoprotein A-i (ApoA-ITangier).

Tangier disease is a rare familial disorder characterized by enlarged orange tonsils, transient peripheral neuropathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy, as well as striking reductions in plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL) and their major protein constituents, apolipoproteins (apo)A-I and A-II. In order to test the hypothesis that Tangier patients have abnormal apoA-I or apoA-II, the in vitro lipoprotein binding and in vivo metabolic characteristics of these proteins isolated from normal and Tangier plasma, were studied in normal subjects and patients with Tangier disease. After incubation with normal plasma, significantly greater percentages of radiolabeled Tangier apoA-I were associated with the 1.063-g/ml supernate (6%) and the 1.21 g/ml infranate (19%), and a lower percentage with HDL (75%), than those observed for normal apoA-I (2, 8, and 90%, respectively). In contrast, the lipoprotein binding properties of normal and Tangier apoA-II were very similar. Following the injection of radiolabeled normal and Tangier apoA-I into normal subjects (n = 4), the mean residence times of the specific activity for apoA-I(Tangier) were significantly lower, both in plasma (1.29 d) and in HDL (1.34 d), than those observed for normal apoA-I (3.80 and 4.06 d). In Tangier homozygotes the decay rates of these tracers were very rapid and were similar. No significant differences between the kinetics of normal and Tangier apoA-II were observed in normal subjects (n = 2). Tangier homozygotes (n = 3) had mean plasma HDL cholesterol, apoA-I, and apoA-II concentrations that were 4, 2, and 11% of normal (n = 24), respectively, whereas for heterozygotes (n = 3) these values were 46, 62, and 68% of normal. In homozygotes, in contrast to normals or heterozygotes, a significant fraction of both apoA-I and apoA-II were found in the 1.063-g/ml supernate instead of in HDL. Homozygotes had apoA-I(Tangier) synthesis rates and residence times that were 41 and 5% of values observed for normal apoA-I in normal subjects, and for apoA-II in homozygotes, these parameters were 63 and 18% of normal. Heterozygotes had apoA-I synthesis rates and residence times that were 92 and 66% of normal, and for apoA-II these values were 101 and 64% of normal. These data are consistent with the concept that apoA-I(Tangier) is functionally and metabolically distinct from normal apoA-I, and is the cause of the striking hypercatabolism of apoA-I and apoA-II, and the lipoprotein abnormalities observed in Tangier disease.

Characterization and quantitation of apolipoproteins A-I and E of normal and cholesterol-fed guinea pigs.

We have characterized and quantified the two major plasma apoproteins of high density lipoproteins (HDL), apolipoproteins A-I (apoA-I) and E (apoE), of guinea pigs fed standard chow (normal) or chow supplemented with 1% cholesterol (cholesterol-fed). ApoA-I isolated from plasma HDL of the normal guinea pig exists in six polymorphic forms (pI 5.75-5.40). A similar isoform pattern of this apoprotein was present in nascent HDL isolated from perfused livers of normal and cholesterol-fed animals. This apoprotein contains cysteine and isoleucine and is slightly different in overall amino acid composition from apoA-I of human and rat, but activates lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase from human plasma with an activation curve almost identical to that obtained with human apoA-I. ApoE present in nascent VLDL and HDL from perfused liver of normal animals contains three isoforms (pI 5.42-5.34). Following cholesterol feeding, the numbers of apoE isoforms from perfused livers were increased from three to five or more by shifting the major component (pI 5.42) to more acidic isoforms (pI 5.28-5.17). This shifting was mostly reversible when apoE was treated with neuraminidase, suggesting that cholesterol feeding leads to a modification of apoE by increasing its content of sialic acid. Similar changes of apoE isoforms were also observed in plasma lipoproteins as early as 10 days after cholesterol feeding. The amino acid compositions of four apoE isoform fractions isolated from plasma HDL of cholesterol-fed guinea pigs were similar to that of parent apoE. The plasma concentrations of apoA-I and apoE, measured by electroimmunoassay, were 6.2 +/- 2.0 and 2.2 +/- 0.5 mg/dl, respectively, in guinea pigs fed standard chow. In animals that had been fed 1% cholesterol, plasma levels of apoA-I slightly increased in 1 week and showed a twofold increase in 8-10 weeks. Plasma levels of apoE, on the other hand, sharply increased by 10-fold in 1 week and up to 22-fold in 8-10 weeks on the cholesterol diet.-Guo, L. S. S., R. L. Hamilton, J. P. Kane, C. J. Fielding, and G. C. Chen. Characterization and quantitation of apolipoproteins A-I and E of normal and cholesterol-fed guinea pigs.

Tangier disease: a structural defect in apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I Tangier).

Tangier disease is a familial disorder characterized by orange tonsils, cholesterol ester deposition in reticuloendothelial cells, abnormal chylomicron remnants, and a marked reduction in high density lipoproteins. Plasma concentrations of the apolipoproteins apo-A-I and apoA-II in patients with Tangier disease are approximately 1% and 7% of those in normal subjects, respectively. Previous studies have shown that the low plasma concentrations of apoA-I and apoA-II are due to increased fractional catabolism with a relatively normal apoA-I and apoA-II synthesis. Plasma apoA-I and apoA-II were isolated to electrophoretic homogeneity from delipidated plasma lipoproteins from a patient with Tangier disease. ApoA-I Tangier differed from apoA-I from control subjects in amino acid composition, electrophoretic mobility, apparent molecular weight on sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and heterogeneity of isoforms on isoelectric focusing. ApoA-II Tangier, however, appeared to be identical to normal apoA-II in amino acid composition and in immunological as well as chemical properties. These results have been interpreted as indicating that apoA-I Tangier has a different covalent structure than does normal apoA-I, and apoA-II Tangier is identical to normal apoA-II. This structural change in apoA-I Tangier is associated with rapid catabolism of apoA-I Tangier-and apoA-II Tangier-containing plasma lipoproteins, and it leads to the deficiency in high density lipoproteins, abnormal chylomicron remnants, and the intracellular accumulation of cholesterol ester characteristic of Tangier disease.

Different kinetic fates of apolipoproteins A-I and A-II from lymph chylomicra of nonhuman primates. Effect of saturated versus polyunsaturated dietary fat.

Monkeys fed polyunsaturated fat had significantly lower plasma cholesterol (186 +/- 18 vs. 276 +/- 31 mg/dl) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) mass concentrations (466 +/- 28 vs. 518 +/- 34 mg/dl) than did animals fed saturated fat. Plasma apoA-I concentrations also were significantly lower and apoA-II levels were generally, though not significantly, lower in the group fed polyunsaturated fat. In vivo reinjection studies, using thoracic duct lymph chylomicra labeled with (131)I and HDL labeled with (125)I, were done in order to study the mechanism of plasma HDL-lowering by polyunsaturated dietary fat. The peak specific activity (SA) of HDL apoA-I derived from (131)I-labeled chylomicra occurred at 3 hr after injection (172 +/- 11% of 1 min S.A.) and then an exponential decay occurred indicative of a precursor-product relationship between chylomicron apoA-I and HDL apoA-I. In contrast, HDL apoA-II derived from (131)I-labeled chylomicra had no early S.A. increase and began to die away immediately after injection. Labeled apoA-I from chylomicron and HDL origin had similar plasma fractional catabolic rates (FCR = 0.34-0.38 vs. 0.32-0.38 d(-1), respectively); apoA-II from chylomicron or HDL origin also had similar FCR (0.46-0.51 vs. 0.42-0.51 d(-1), respectively), which were significantly shorter than those for HDL apoA-I. There was a consistent trend toward a higher FCR for HDL apoA-I or A-II of polyunsaturated fat-fed recipients. Chylomicron apoA-I/triglyceride and apoA-II/triglyceride mass ratios were lower in polyunsaturated fat-fed animals (A-I/TG = 1.56 x 10(-3); A-II/TG = 1.47 x 10(-3)) vs. saturated fat-fed animals (A-I/TG = 2.58 x 10(-3); A-II/TG = 2.77 x 10(-3)). It was concluded that: (1) dietary polyunsaturated fat significantly lowered plasma cholesterol, HDL, and apoA-I concentrations relative to saturated fat; (2) the HDL-lowering effect of the dietary polyunsaturated fat may be due to the combined effects of decreased apoprotein production by the intestine and increased HDL catabolism; and (3) in the blood, chylomicron apoA-I and A-II differ in their metabolic fates.-Parks, J. S., and L. L. Rudel. Different kinetic fates of apolipoproteins A-I and A-II from lymph chylomicra of nonhuman primates. Effect of saturated versus polyunsaturated dietary fat.

Plasma apolipoprotein concentrations in familial apolipoprotein A-I and A-II deficiency (Tangier disease)

Familial apolipoprotein A-I and A-II deficiency (Tangier disease) is characterized by cholesterol ester deposition in histiocytes, decreased plasma cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (C-LDL), and a striking deficiency of high density lipoproteins (HDL). We measured plasma lipid, lipoprotein cholesterol, and plasma apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, A-II, B, C-I, C-II, C-III, D, and E concentrations in 7 Tangier homozygotes, 2 obligate heterozygotes, and 50 normal subjects. Heterozygotes had modest reductions in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (C-HDL), plasma apoA-I, and apoA-II levels. Mean concentrations (±SD) of plasma C-HDL and apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, B, C-I, C-II, C-III, D, and E in mg% in normals were: 50 ± 14, 134 ± 24, 68 ± 18, 98 ± 20, 7 ± 2, 3.7 ± 2, 13 ± 5, 10 ± 4, and 10 ± 4, respectively; and in homozygotes were: 1 ± 1, 1.3 ± 0.7, 4.8 ± 2.5, 82.6 ± 18, 4.1 ± 1.7, 2.3 ± 0.9, 6.5 ± 3.8, 2.2 ± 0.5, and 5.4 ± 3.1, respectively. Homozygotes had C-HDL, apoA-I and apoA-II levels which were 2%, 1%, and 7% (p < .001) of normal, respectively, and mean levels of apolipoproteins B, C-I, C-II, C-III, D, and E which were 84%, 59%, 62%, 50%, 22%, and 54% of normal, respectively. There was heterogeneity of these latter apolipoprotein concentrations among homozygotes. Mean apoC-I, apoC-III, apoD, and apoE levels were significantly less than normal ( pp < .05) in homozygotes. These data indicate that homozygotes have variable but generally decreased apoC and apoE levels, a deficiency of apoD, and a striking reduction in plasma apoA-I and apoA-II concentrations.

Comparison of immunonephelometry and electroimmunoassay for estimation of plasma apolipoprotein A-I

Immunonephelometry using a helium-neon laser as light-source has been compared with the established technique of electroimmunoassay for estimation of plasma apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the major protein component of high density lipoproteins (HDL). The within-batch coefficient of variation for immunonephelometry was 6.7% and for electroimmunoassay was 4.7%, but both methods showed similar between-batch precisions (6.9% and 7.0% respectively). Plasma from 122 subjects (62 male, 60 female) were analysed by both methods. Results showed good correlation but immunonephelometry gave consistently lower apoA-I values (mean ± 1 S.D. = 1.32 ± 0.25 g/l) than did electroimmunoassay (1.56 ± 0.33 g/l) ∗∗. Plasma apoA-I concentrations obtained by both procedures were significantly higher ( P < 0.001) in females than in males. Both assays gave results which were highly correlated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Immunonephelometry is therefore considered to be satisfactory for estimation of plasma apoA-I concentration.

Effects of dietary saturated and polyunsaturated fat on the metabolism of apolipoproteins A-I and B: Study of a patient with type IIb hyperlipoproteinaemia

The effects of dietary saturated and polyunsaturated fat on the metabolism of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) were studied in a patient with type IIb hyperlipoproteinaemia. On the saturated fat diet, the rate of synthesis of very low density lipoprotein apoprotein B (VLDL-apoB) was approximately twice normal, accounting for the increased plasma VLDL pool in this subject. However, 54% of the synthesized VLDL-apoB was catabolized by a pathway independent of low density lipoproteins (LDL). The metabolic conversion rate of VLDL-apoB to LDL-apoB was normal in this subject and his expanded plasma LDL-apoB pool resulted, not from increased input of the apoprotein from VLDL, but from a decrease in its fractional clearance rate. On the polyunsaturated diet, there was a significant fall in the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and a change in the fatty acid composition of all plasma lipoprotein fractions. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in the plasma concentrations of apoA-I and apoB which resulted from a reduction of apoprotein synthetic rate.