title: Apolipoprotein B overproduction by the perfused liver of the St. Thomas' mixed hyperlipidemic (SMHL) rabbit.
abstract: The St. Thomas' mixed hyperlipidemic (SMHL) rabbit (previously St. Thomas' Hospital rabbit) is a putative model of familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH). When fed a low (0.08%) cholesterol diet, it exhibits elevations in both plasma cholesterol and triglyceride compared to New Zealand White (NZW) controls. To determine the mechanism for this hyperlipidemia we studied the secretion of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins from perfused livers of both young and mature rabbits. During a 3-h perfusion we measured the total cholesterol and triglyceride content of the medium and the cholesterol, triglyceride, and apoB content of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)(1) (S(f) 60;-400), VLDL(2) (S(f) 20;-60), intermediate (S(f) 12;-20), and low (S(f) 0;-12) density lipoproteins (IDL, LDL). Lipoprotein concentrations increased linearly throughout the perfusion period. The rate of cholesterol output was 3-fold higher (459 vs. 137 ng/g liver/min, P = 0.003) in SMHL versus NZW rabbits whilst that of triglyceride was similar (841 vs. 662 ng/g liver/min, NS). VLDL(1) cholesterol output was elevated 2-fold (232 vs. 123 ng/g liver/min, P < 0.05) and VLDL(2) + IDL + LDL cholesterol output, 4.5-fold (106 vs. 23 ng/g liver/min, P < 0. 005) in SMHL versus NZW rabbits. ApoB output in VLDL1 was 38 ng/g liver per min in SMHL and 14 ng/g liver per min in NZW (NS). In SMHL VLDL(2) + IDL + LDL apoB was increased 9-fold at 53 versus 6 ng/g liver per min in NZW (P < 0.001). We conclude that the SMHL rabbit overproduces apoB-containing lipoproteins particularly in the VLDL(2) + IDL + LDL fraction, a characteristic consistent with its use as a model of FCH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathological Biochemistry, Glasgow Royal Infirmary University NHS Trust, Glasgow G4 0SF, UK.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Ardern
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Suckling
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Caslake
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Packard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D004032:Diet; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006950:Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined / Q000473:pathology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D010477:Perfusion; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase