[Truncated abstract] The metabolic syndrome is characterized by cardiovascular risk factors including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, visceral obesity, hypertension and diabetes. The dyslipidemia of the metabolic syndrome includes elevated plasma triglyceride and apolipoprotein (apo) B levels, accumulation of small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration. However, the precise mechanisms for this dyslipoproteinemia, specifically low plasma HDL cholesterol, are not well understood. This thesis therefore, focuses on HDL, its structure, function and metabolism. However, lipoprotein metabolism is a complex interconnected system, which includes forward and reverse cholesterol transport pathways. Hence, this thesis also examines and discusses the metabolism of apoB-containing lipoproteins. This thesis tests the general hypothesis that apolipoprotein kinetics are altered in the metabolic syndrome, and that lipid regulating therapies can improve these kinetic abnormalities. The aims were first, to compare and establish the clinical, metabolic and kinetic differences between metabolic syndrome and lean subjects; and second, to determine the regulatory effects of statin therapy, specifically, rosuvastatin on lipoprotein transport in the metabolic syndrome. Five observation statements were derived from the general hypothesis and examined in the studies described below. The findings are presented separately as a series of original publications. Study 1 Twelve men with the metabolic syndrome and ten lean men were studied in a case-control setting. ... These findings explain the HDL raising effects of rosuvastatin in the metabolic syndrome. Collectively, these studies suggest that the dyslipidemia of the metabolic syndrome results from increased production rates of VLDL and LDL particles, reduced fractional catabolic rates of these lipoproteins, together with accelerated catabolism of HDL particles. Treatment with rosuvastatin increases the catabolic rates of all apoB-containing lipoproteins and at a higher dose, decreases LDL apoB production. These effects are consistent with inhibition of cholesterol synthesis leading to an upregulation of LDL receptors. Rosuvastatin decreases the fractional catabolism of HDL particles. The effects of rosuvastatin on HDL kinetics may be related to a reduction in triglyceride concentration and cholesterol ester transfer protein activity. These findings are consistent with the general hypothesis that apolipoprotein kinetics are altered in the metabolic syndrome, and that statin therapy improves these kinetic abnormalities.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2004. / Bibliography: leaves 93-115.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Canterbury, 2006. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 233-271). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Young male rats fed a choline-deficient diet for three days accumulated triacylglycerol (TG) in the liver, and had reduced very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), but not high density lipoprotein (HDL), levels in the plasma. Cultured hepatocytes obtained from these rats were used as a model system to investigate how choline deficiency affected hepatic lipogenesis, apolipoprotein synthesis and lipoprotein secretion. When the cells were cultured in a medium free of choline and methionine, the secretion of TG and phosphatidylcholine (PC) was impaired. Supplementation of choline, methionine or lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) to the culture medium increased the secretion of these lipids to normal levels, and stimulated PC biosynthesis. Fractionation of the secreted lipoproteins by ultracentrifugation revealed that the reduced secretion of TG and PC from choline-deficient cells was mainly due to impaired secretion of VLDL. The secretion of HDL and lipid-free proteins (for example albumin), however, was not affected by choline and methionine deficiency. Supplementation of betaine and homocysteine also stimulated PC biosynthesis and enhanced hepatic VLDL secretion. However, supplementation of ethanolamine, N-monomethylethanol-amine or N, N-dimethylethanolamine did not correct the impaired VLDL secretion from the hepatocytes, although an active synthesis of phosphatidylmonomethyl-ethanolamine (PMME) and phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine was observed. Choline deficiency had no effect on the rate of incorporation of [³H]leucine into cellular apolipoprotein B, E and C or on the rate of disappearance of radioactivity from the labeled apolipoproteins. These results suggest that biosynthesis of PC is specifically required for hepatic VLDL (but not HDL) secretion, and any one of the three synthetic pathways, the CDP-choline pathway, methylation of phospha-tidylethanolamine (PE) or reacylation of lysoPC, is sufficient to provide the required PC. The total activity of cytidylyltransferase in liver was unchanged in choline deficiency. However, choline deficiency caused an abnormal distribution of cytidylyltransferase activity between rat liver cytosol and microsomes (mainly endoplasmic reticulum), a decrease in the cytosolic enzyme activity and an increase in the microsomal enzyme activity. In cultured hepatocytes from the choline-deficient rat, the abnormally distributed cytidylyltransferase activity could be rapidly reversed by the addition of choline, but not lysoPC, to the culture medium. The stimulated microsomal activity of cytidylyltransferase during choline deficiency might be a mechanism whereby the cells could more effectively utilize phosphocholine to maintain a normal CDP-choline level in the choline-deficient liver. Rat liver PE N-methyltransferase catalyzes all three transmethylation reactions in the conversion of PE to PC. The in vitro activity of PE N-methyltransferase was increased in choline-deficient livers using endogenous PE as the methyl group acceptor. However, no significant changes were observed in the enzyme activity when exogenous PMME was used as the methyl group acceptor. Addition of methionine to the cultured hepatocytes obtained from choline-deficient rats resulted in a concomitant reduction in cellular PE levels and the specific activity of PE-dependent methyltransferase. However, the specific activity of PMME-dependent methyltransferase was not significantly altered upon the addition of methionine. No change in PE N-methyltransferase activity was observed in the cultured hepatocytes supplemented with choline. Immunoblotting of PE N-methyltransferase, in crude liver microsomes and in membrane fractions of cultured hepatocytes, revealed that the enzyme mass was not altered by choline and methionine deficiency. Thus, hepatic PE N-methyltransferase is preserved in choline deficiency, and its activity is probably dependent on the availability of metabolic substrates (i.e. methionine and PE). / Medicine, Faculty of / Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of / Graduate

The toxicity of elevated levels of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL, d < 1.006 g/ml) was investigated using porcine aortic endothelial cells in vitro. VLDL isolated from normal rat serum and added at elevated levels was as toxic as VLDL isolated from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat serum. Injury was detected by scanning electron microscopy in 4-day-old primary cultures of endothelial cells after a 1 2 exposure to diabetic rat serum. Bleb formation and contraction was seen first in isolated cells ( 1 2 h), followed by cells at the periphery of the monolayer (1 h) and finally in cells throughout the monolayer (4 h). By 10 h few cells remained attached to the dish. A similar sequence of events occurred in 1-day-old cultures after a 3-h lag period. Serum from sucrose-fed as well as aged rats was also found to be toxic to endothelial cells in vitro. Elevated levels of VLDL were responsible for the toxicities of these sera. Scanning electron microscopy of the aortas from diabetic and sucrose-fed rats revealed endothelial desquamation, platelet and leukocyte attachment, fibrin deposition and the presence of microthrombi. The common occurrence of both micro- and macrovascular disease in diabetic, sucrose-fed, and aged rats and the toxicity of their serum in vitro suggest that elevated levels of VLDL may initiate vascular disease in these models.

Orientadores: Andrei Carvalho Sposito, Eliana Cotta de Faria / Texto em português e inglês / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T06:33:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Parra_ElianeSoler_D.pdf: 3645332 bytes, checksum: 085ab65e147faa7a1f1684591c22e6d8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL) é um complexo heterogêneo e versátil de partículas com variações funcionais resultantes da integração de uma vasta gama de componentes, como apolipoproteínas, receptores, transportadores, enzimas e fosfolípides, com ações indiretas ou diretas sobre o seu metabolismo. Além disso, as concentrações plasmáticas do colesterol da HDL (HDL-C) e seu tamanho representam importantes fatores inversos ao desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares, particularmente em indivíduos em prevenção primária. A proteína de transferência de colesterol esterificado (CETP) desempenha uma função importante no transporte reverso do colesterol (TRC) que é umas das principais funções antiaterogênicas da HDL. No entanto, a atividade da CETP é inversamente associada às concentrações de HDL-C e ao tamanho da partícula. Adicionalmente, HDL grande demonstra ser mais efetiva no efluxo do colesterol, parte integrante do TRC, comparada à partícula de HDL menor. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar, em indivíduos livres de doença aterosclerótica manisfesta, a associação entre o tamanho da HDL e a redução da atividade da CETP induzida geneticamente com a carga aterosclerótica carotídea. Utilizamos para esse fim dois polimorfismos da CETP, TaqIB e I405V, que foram bem caracterizados funcionalmente e encontrados frequentemente na população. Assim, os objetivos desta tese foram: (i) investigar se a presença dos polimorfismos TaqIB e I405V do gene da CETP está associada às concentrações de HDL-C e à aterosclerose carotídea subclínica (n=207); (ii) pesquisar se, além das concentrações de HDL-C, o tamanho da partícula de HDL está associado à aterosclerose subclínica (n=284). Para estes estudos foram determinados os perfis lipídicos, lipoproteícos e apoproteícos, proteína C-reativa (PCR), anticorpos anti-LDL oxidada, atividades das proteínas CETP e de transferência de fosfolípides (PLTP), HDL2 e HDL3 e o diâmetro da HDL. Os polimorfismos TaqIB e I405V da CETP também foram detectados. A espessura da camada íntima-medial da artéria carótida comum (EIMc) foi mensurada por ultrassonografia. Na presença do menor alelo dos polimorfismos TaqIB e I405V da CETP, EIMc correlacionou-se inversamente com atividade da CETP e positivamente com atividade da PLTP e anticorpos anti-LDL oxidada. Na análise multivariada, a presença do menor alelo do polimorfismo TaqIB, mas não do I405V, foi associado a um aumento de 5,1 vezes de risco de maior EIMc. No entanto, a atividade da CETP não diferiu entre os grupos de presença e ausência do menor alelo do polimorfismo TaqIB. Com relação ao tamanho das partículas, HDL maiores foram associadas a menores EIMc e foram melhores indicadores de risco de aterosclerose carotídea subclínica comparadas às concentrações de HDL-C. Em conclusão, o aumento do tamanho da HDL tem associação independente com a carga aterosclerótica e, embora o polimorfismo TaqIB também se associe, sua interação parece ser independente da atividade da CETP / Abstract: High-density lipoproteins ( HDL ) are a group of heterogeneous and complex particles with versatile functional changes resulting from the integration of a wide range of components, such as apolipoproteins, receptors, transporters, enzymes and phospholipids with indirect or direct actions on your metabolism. In addition, plasma concentrations of HDL cholesterol (HDL -C) and its size are inversely related to the development of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in primary prevention in individuals. The cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) plays an important role in reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), which is one of the main functions of HDL. However, CETP activity is inversely related to HDL-C and particle size. Additionally, largest HDL particles have demonstrated a higher cholesterol efflux capacity. In this context, the aim of the study was to evaluate, in individuals free of manifest atherosclerotic disease, the association between the size of HDL and CETP activity genetically induced with carotid atherosclerosis burden. We used for this purpose, two polymorphisms of CETP TaqIB and I405V, which have been well characterized functionally and often found in the population. The objectives of this thesis were: (i) to investigate whether the presence of polymorphisms I405V and TaqIB of CETP gene is associated with HDL-C and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (n= 207); (ii) to investigate if, in addition to HDL-C, the particle size of HDL is associated with atherosclerosis (n= 284). We determined lipid, lipoprotein profiles and apolipoprotein, C-reactive protein (CRP), antibodies against oxidized LDL, CETP and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) activities, HDL2 and HDL3 and HDL size. The TaqIB and I405V CETP polymorphisms were also analyzed. Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) was measured using ultrasonography. In the presence of the minor alleles of the TaqIB and I405V polymorphisms of CETP, cIMT was inversely correlated with CETP activity and positively with PLTP activity and antibodies against oxidized LDL. In multivariate analysis, the presence of the minor allele of the TaqIB polymorphism, but not the I405V, was associated with a 5.1 times increased risk of higher cIMT. However, CETP activity did not differ between the presence and absence of minor allele groups of the TaqIB polymorphism. Regarding HDL size, increased HDL size was associated with lower cIMT and was better marker of risk of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis compared to HDL-C. In conclusion, increased size of HDL is independently associated with atherosclerotic and, although TaqIB polymorphism is also associated, its interaction seems to be independent of CETP activity / Doutorado / Clinica Medica / Doutora em Clínica Médica

Alpha-tocopherol, the most abundant form of vitamin E in man, is transported in the circulation by plasma lipoproteins. It plays important roles, not only in preventing lipid peroxidation, but also in modulating several cell functions such as cell signaling and gene expression. While chylomicrons transport dietary alpha-tocopherol after intestinal absorption, LDL and HDL are the major carriers of alpha-tocopherol in fasting plasma and largely contribute to its delivery to cells and tissues. Exchanges of alpha-tocopherol occur between plasma lipoproteins. In addition, alpha-tocopherol transfers have also been observed, in both directions, between plasma lipoproteins and artificial chylomicrons such as intravenous lipid emulsion particles used in parenteral nutrition. In acute conditions, intravenous supply of vitamin E via lipid emulsions, which bypasses the intestinal tract, may offer some advantages over oral administration to rapidly increase alpha-tocopherol plasma concentration. However, many questions remain unanswered regarding kinetics and factors facilitating vitamin E exchanges between lipid emulsions and plasma lipoproteins. The first part of this work aimed at characterizing alpha-tocopherol transfers between alpha-tocopherol rich emulsion particles and plasma lipoproteins as well as the potential for plasma proteins to modulate such transfers. An in vitro model of incubation was used in which emulsion triglyceride concentration was relatively low and lipoprotein levels comparable to those commonly found in the circulation. Results indicate a high capacity for LDL and HDL to acquire extra-amounts of alpha-tocopherol by rapid mass transfers from alpha-tocopherol-rich emulsion particles. Data further shows that, at a fixed alpha-tocopherol concentration provided by emulsion particles, the limiting factor for alpha-tocopherol enrichment is not the capacity of plasma lipoproteins to accommodate extra-amounts of alpha-tocopherol but the facilitating effect of plasma proteins on alpha-tocopherol transfer, the duration of the incubation and possibly the competition between different acceptor particles. Two lipid transfer proteins, PLTP and CETP, appear to largely mediate facilitation of alpha-tocopherol transfer; however, other plasma proteins may be involved. Data further shows that alpha-tocopherol enriched LDL and HDL can readily transfer newly acquired alpha-tocopherol to cells, without any regulation by plasma proteins.<p>Short-term prophylactic vitamin E supplementation has been suggested to be beneficial in some patients in acute conditions who present reduced plasma vitamin E concentrations in association with important changes in plasma lipids and severe oxidative stress. However, it was not clear whether low plasma vitamin E concentration in critically ill patients is related to changes in the composition of plasma lipoproteins or to a decrease in the number of alpha-tocopherol carriers. In the second part of this work, two clinical studies were conducted to analyze changes of lipoprotein concentration and composition in relation to inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress in selected subgroups of critically ill patients, namely patients undergoing cardiac surgery with different procedures. Important changes in LDL and HDL lipid content were observed, some of which contrast with previous observations made in critically ill septic patients. The reduced plasma level of alpha-tocopherol measured after cardiac surgery is entirely due to a reduced number of circulating LDL and HDL particles. Data suggests that such reduced number in alpha-tocopherol carriers post-surgery may impede the delivery of alpha-tocopherol to cells in conditions of increased requirements due to oxidative stress. Avoidance of extracorporeal circulation during cardiac surgery does not reduce inflammation-related changes in plasma lipids but largely prevents oxidative stress. This data on changes occurring in plasma lipoproteins may help to better define strategies against pro-inflammatory changes or oxidative stress. If further studies would confirm a clinical benefit with evidence-based rationale, alpha-tocopherol enriched lipid emulsions may be used to guarantee a sufficient alpha-tocopherol supply in acute conditions associated with fewer alpha-tocopherol transporters and increased requirements due to high risk of oxidative tissue injury.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The apoC-III proteoform containing two sialic acid residues (apoC-III2) has different in vitro effects on lipid metabolism compared with asialylated (apoC-III0) or the most abundant monosialylated (apoC-III1) proteoforms. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between plasma apoC-III proteoforms (by mass spectrometric immunoassay) and plasma lipids were tested in two randomized clinical trials: ACT NOW, a study of pioglitazone in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (n = 531), and RACED (n = 296), a study of intensive glycemic control and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients. At baseline, higher relative apoC-(I)II2 and apoC-III2/apoC-III1 ratios were associated with lower triglycerides and total cholesterol in both cohorts, and with lower small dense LDL in the RACED. Longitudinally, changes in apoC-III2/apoC-III1 were inversely associated with changes in triglycerides in both cohorts, and with total and small dense LDL in the RACED. apoC-III2/apoC-III1 was also higher in patients treated with PPAR-gamma agonists and was associated with reduced cardiovascular events in the RACED control group. Ex vivo studies of apoC-III complexes with higher apoC-III2/apoC-III1 showed attenuated inhibition of VLDL uptake by HepG2 cells and LPL-mediated lipolysis, providing possible functional explanations for the inverse association between a higher apoC-III2/apoC-III1 and hypertriglyceridemia, proatherogenic plasma lipid profiles, and cardiovascular risk.