title: Plasma lipoproteins in the golden Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus): heterogeneity of apoB- and apoA-I-containing particles.
abstract: We present the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the apolipoprotein (apo) B- and apoA-I-containing lipoprotein subspecies in the plasma of male Golden Syrian hamsters. The spectrum of hamster lipoproteins of d < 1.172 g/ml was subfractionated by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation. ApoB-containing subspecies were distributed up to a density of 1.074 g/ml. Hamster very low density lipoproteins (VLDL, d < 1.018 g/ml; approximately 120 mg/dl plasma) were triglyceride (TG)-rich, deficient in cholesteryl ester (CE), and highly heterogeneous in size, containing chylomicron-like particles. ApoVLDL contained proteins analogous to human apoB-100, apoB-48, and apoE. ApoB-containing subspecies with physicochemical properties typical of low density lipoproteins (LDL) were identified as a single, major size species in the density interval from 1.019 to 1.074 g/ml, particle diameter decreasing progressively with increase in density. Hamster LDL-like subspecies were distinguished from their human counterparts by a relative deficiency in core CE (< 30% by wt) and by enrichment in triglyceride. The high M(r) form of apoB was the major apolipoprotein of all LDL-like subfractions, in which apoE was detected as a minor component. Total plasma levels of LDL (d 1.019-1.074 g/ml) amounted to approximately 140 mg/dl (approximately 25% of d < 1.172 g/ml lipoproteins). The distribution of dense apoB-containing subspecies overlapped that of apoA-I-containing, high density lipoprotein-1 (HDL1)-like particles in the density interval approximately 1.039-1.074 g/ml. ApoA-I-containing subspecies with the physical and chemical characteristics of HDL were exclusively present over the density interval 1.074-1.172 g/ml. Quantitatively, these subspecies predominated in hamster plasma (approximately 270 mg/dl). Light, HDL2-like particles of d 1.065-1.103 g/ml (HDLL) were preponderant, (approximately 66% of total HDL). Marked size heterogeneity was evident, and was associated with distinct particle contents of minor apolipoproteins. Both HDLL and heavy HDL (HDLH, d 1.103-1.172 g/ml) were enriched in CE as evidenced by elevated weight ratios of CE:FC (7-9:1) and of CE:TG (up to approximately 50:1). Considered together, the core lipid contents of apoB- and apoA-I-containing lipoproteins are consistent with the hypothesis that the hamster is partially deficient in neutral lipid (CE, TG) transfer activity.
authors.affiliation: Lipoprotein and Atherogenesis Research Unit, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goulinet
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000032:analysis*; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood*; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D006224:Cricetinae; D004586:Electrophoresis; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000097:blood*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL