Reduction of intestinal apo A-IV mRNA levels in the cirrhotic rat.
In the present study, intestinal apo A-IV synthesis was investigated using a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhosis rat model. Triglyceride (TG) content in rat cirrhotic liver was increased markedly by 170% (P < 0.001) and apo B was increased by 20% (P < 0.05) compared with control levels. These results reflected the steatotic change in the liver. In contrast, TG levels in the small intestine of cirrhotic rats decreased significantly (P < 0.01). In addition, intestinal apo A-IV (jejunum P < 0.001; ileum P < 0.01) and its mRNA levels (jejunum P < 0.01; ileum P < 0.05) were also reduced. The decreased apo A-IV content in the jejunum was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis. These results indicate that intestinal apo A-IV synthesis in cirrhosis is suppressed, at least under the condition of an overnight fast. Therefore, decreased intestinal apo A-IV synthesis may relate to the decreased ability to absorb fat in cirrhosis, but a fat-loading study will be necessary to confirm this hypothesis. It is unknown from the present study why serum apo A-IV level is not significantly decreased, despite a reduction in apo A-IV synthesis. The clearance of apo A-IV by the liver may be delayed or apo A-IV synthesis may be rather markedly enhanced during fat absorption in liver cirrhosis.
Seishima
M
M
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan.
Usui
T
T
Naganawa
S
S
Nishimura
M
M
Moriwaki
H
H
Muto
Y
Y
Noma
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D008055:Lipids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C022205:apolipoprotein A-IV; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride