Hepatic binding and internalization of low density lipoprotein-gold conjugates in rats treated with 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol.

Receptor-mediated hepatic uptake of low density lipoproteins (LDL) conjugated to colloidal gold was studied by perfusion of livers from rats treated for 5 d with 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol. Estrogen treatment resulted in a marked decrease in serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. After 15 min of perfusion the conjugate was bound to the hepatic microvilli of both control and estrogen-treated rats; the estrogen-treated rats showed an 8- to 11-fold greater number of membrane-bound conjugates. The conjugates were bound to the membrane receptor by the LDL particle because the gold granules were regularly displaced from the membrane by 20 +/- 3.2 nm, the diameter of LDL. Internalization of the conjugate, evident by gold particles in multivesicular bodies, occurred at coated pits at the base of the microvillus where coated vesicles containing a single gold-LDL conjugate were released. After 1 h of perfusion, the livers from the estrogen-treated rats showed all phases of endocytosis and incorporation into multivesicular bodies of the conjugate. After 2 h of perfusion, there was congregation of gold-labeled lysosomes near the bile canaliculi. Gold-LDL conjugates were also observed to bind and be internalized by Kupffer cells and sinusoidal endothelium. These findings indicate that estrogen treatment induces hepatic receptors for LDL. The catabolic pathway of binding and endocytosis of the conjugate is similar to that seen in fibroblasts, although slower. Because gold-LDL conjugates were also present in the Kupffer and endothelial cells, the uptake of LDL by the liver involves the participation of more than a single cell type.

Radar determination of the radius of venus.

The radius of Venus has been determined from radar-range data taken at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Goldstone facility. A simultaneous intergration of the equations of motion of the solar-system fit to this time-delay data gave a value of 6053.7 +/- 2.2 kilometers. A discussion of other Venusian radius determinations is made.

Membrane-bound lipoprotein lipase on human monocyte-derived macrophages: localization by immunocolloidal gold technique.

Macrophages from both rodent and human sources have been shown to produce lipoprotein lipase (LPL), the enzyme activity of which can be measured in culture media and in cellular homogenates. The studies reported here show the presence of LPL on the surface of human monocyte-derived macrophages. An inhibitory monoclonal antibody to human LPL was used for cellular and immunoelectron microscopy studies. This antibody is a competitive inhibitor of LPL hydrolysis of triacylglycerol but does not inhibit LPL hydrolysis of a water-soluble substrate, p-nitrophenyl acetate. Furthermore, when postheparin plasma was mixed with monoclonal antibody prior to gel filtration on 6% agarose, the LPL activity eluted with the lipoproteins and was not inhibited by the antibody. These studies suggest that the antibody recognized the lipid/lipoprotein binding site of the LPL molecule. Membrane-bound LPL was demonstrated on human monocyte-derived macrophages using colloidal gold-protein A to detect the monoclonal antibody to LPL. The surface colloidal gold was randomly distributed with a surface density of 56,700 gold particles per cell. Control cells cultured in heparin-containing media (10 units/ml) or cells reacted with anti-hepatic triacylglycerol lipase monoclonal IgG or nonimmune mouse IgG did not exhibit membrane binding of protein A-gold. Macrophages were incubated with control and monoclonal anti-LPL IgGs and 125I-labeled anti-mouse IgG F(ab')2. Heparin-releasable membrane-bound anti-LPL antibody was demonstrated. These studies demonstrate the presence of LPL on the surface of human monocyte-derived macrophages, such that the LPL is oriented with its lipid-binding portion (recognized by this antibody) exposed. Membrane-associated LPL may be important in the interaction and subsequent uptake of lipid and lipoproteins by macrophages and in the generation of atherosclerotic foam cells.

Platelet-derived growth factor labeled to colloidal gold for use as a mitogenic receptor probe.

Studies by others utilizing 125I-PDGF have indicated that target cells express a high affinity surface receptor for PDGF. We have bound purified platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to gold colloid particles to explore the interaction of PDGF with mouse 3T3 cells. The gold-PDGF complex consists of approximately 26 PDGF molecules electrostatically absorbed to gold colloid (approximately 14.1 nm). The gold-PDGF complex induced mitogenic stimulation similar to unbound PDGF, although a 5 to 6 fold greater amount of complexed PDGF was required for the same effect. Incubation of the gold-PDGF complex with 3T3 cells for 4 h at 4 degrees C revealed that 98% of the membrane binding was randomly distributed on the cell surface with respect to coated pits, with each cell binding 7000 to 11000 complexes. Addition of a 20-fold excess of unlabeled PDGF reduced surface binding of the gold-PDGF complex by 87% (1230 probes/cell). Warming to 37 degrees C followed by time-interval fixation permitted visualization of endocytosis of the complexes in coated vesicles (1-3 min), internalization (3-15 min) and lysosomal accumulation (15-60 min). Pretreatment of cultures with monensin (2 h, 10 microM) abolished receptor binding, internalization and subsequent mitogenesis of the gold-PDGF complex. These studies support the suggestion that PDGF requires a surface receptor to elicit mitogenesis.

Ultrastructural studies of endothelial and platelet receptor binding of thrombin-colloidal gold probes.

Endothelial cells and platelets are reported to have receptors for alpha-thrombin. To visualize the binding of alpha-thrombin to these cells, we developed a method to label thrombin with colloidal gold. Formed by electrostatic adsorption of thrombin to the negatively charged gold, the resulting probe is stable for weeks and consists of approximately 30 thrombin molecules adsorbed to each 16.5 nm gold particle. The probe retained about 10% of the enzymatic activity (fibrinogen clotting) of the unlabeled native thrombin and 20% of the ability of the native thrombin to aggregate platelets in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In PRP, approximately 90% of the observed probes were bound to fibrin strands, with the remaining probes (650 per cell) attached to activated platelets. In contrast, washed, paraformaldehyde-fixed human platelets exhibited a marked increase in probe density (4900 per cell). Time-dependent ultrastructural studies (2-240 min) of binding of the thrombin-gold probe to confluent cultures of porcine aortic endothelial cells revealed that the initial binding (7300 probes per cell) occurred randomly at the cell surface. A limited number (25%) of the probes clustered at coated-pit regions and were internalized (60-240 min). The probe induced a limited amount of cellular retraction similar to that achieved with unlabeled thrombin. These results suggest that the thrombin-gold probe is suitable for investigations of the localization of thrombin receptors on cell surfaces and the interaction of thrombin with these receptors during thrombotic events.

Sinusoidal endothelial endocytosis of low density lipoprotein-gold conjugates in perfused livers of ethinyl-estradiol treated rats.

We examined endocytosis of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) conjugated to colloidal gold by the sinusoidal endothelium in perfused livers of 17 alpha-ethinyl estradiol-treated rats. After 15 min of perfusion, the gold-LDL was randomly bound at the endothelial surface, but internalized only at coated pits. Uptake of the conjugate was to electron-lucid vacuoles. After 1 h of perfusion, there was a progressive accumulation of gold in organelles resembling lysosomes, with further accumulation seen at 2 h perfusion. Uptake of the conjugate was equivalent to the rate of 125I-LDL and competitively inhibited by a 20-fold excess of free LDL. These results suggest that a specific endocytotic pathway for LDL is present in the sinusoidal endothelium in the estrogen-hypolipidemic state.

Antitumor activity of 5-aryl-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines.

A series of 5-aryl-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolines previously reported to be platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonists were evaluated for potential antitumor activity. Several compounds, such as the 5-(4'-tert-butylphenyl) (65), 5-[4'-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl] (69), and 5-(4'-cyclohexylphenyl) (71) analogs showed very good cytotoxicity against several tumor cell lines. 5-[4'-(Piperidinomethyl)phenyl]-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1- a]isoquinoline (SDZ 62-434, 53) was more effective on a milligram per kilogram basis than the clinical cytostatic agent edelfosine (1) in increasing survivors and decreasing tumor volume in the oral mouse Meth A fibrosarcoma assay. It was selected for further development and is currently in phase I clinical trials in cancer patients.

Structural modification of 5-aryl-2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline platelet activating factor receptor antagonists.

In an effort to determine the effect of modification of the imidazo[2,1-a]isoquinoline portion of the PAF-receptor antagonist SDZ 64-412 (1), several new analogs were prepared and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. One of these, 5-[4-[2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]phenyl]-2,3-dihydroimidazo [1,2-a]thieno[2,3-c]pyridine (6) was 4-5 times more potent than 1 in inhibiting PAF-induced bronchoconstriction and hemoconcentration when administered po to the guinea pig.

Evidence for a direct effect on vascular permeability of platelet-activating factor induced hemoconcentration in the guinea pig.

The ability of synthetic platelet-activating factor (PAF) given intravenously to produce loss (extravasation) of protein rich plasma (resulting in hemoconcentration) has been examined using guinea pigs. Hemoconcentration induced by PAF was not prevented by prior administration of inhibitors of thromboxane synthetase (7-(3-pyridyl)heptanoic acid, UK-37,248-01), PGI2, aspirin, indomethacin or antiserum induced thrombocytopenia. Calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, verapamil, diethylamino octyltrimethoxybenzoate, diltiazem), antihistamines (pyrilamine, cimetidine, diphenhydramine), or the elevator of cAMP IBMX were ineffective in blocking PAF-induced hemoconcentration. In contrast, CV-3988, reported to be a specific antagonist to PAF, was 98% inhibitory of PAF extravasation when given i.a. at 3.5 mg/kg. The ED50 was 0.14 mg/kg I.A. and 15 mg/kg p.o. against 75 ng/kg PAF. These data suggest that PAF-induced hemoconcentration involves receptor mediated alterations of vascular permeability that are inhibited by a specific PAF antagonist.

Inhibition of PAF-induced systemic responses in the rat, guinea pig, dog and primate by the receptor antagonist SRI 63-441.

Systemic administration of synthetic PAF produces a number of dose-dependent circulatory effects in a variety of species. We have evaluated a novel PAF antagonist, SRI 63-441, for its ability to inhibit PAF-induced effects in the rat, guinea pig, dog and primate. In the rat, a 100 ng kg-1 i.v. PAF challenge produced a (mean +/- 1 S.D.) 39 +/- 5% decrease in carotid blood pressure. Prior injection of SRI 63-441 inhibited this hypotensive response in a dose-dependent manner, with an ED50 of 0.15 mg kg-1 i.v. In the guinea pig, PAF at 100 ng kg-1 elicited a 50 +/- 8% increase in hematocrit and a 50 +/- 11% elevation in bronchial resistance. The ED50 values for inhibition by SRI 63-441 of these two physiological parameters were 0.012 mg kg-1 and 0.035 mg kg-1 i.a., respectively. Dogs challenged with 1.5 micrograms kg-1 PAF i.v. exhibited 28.7 +/- 6.5% increase in hematocrit 10 min after injection. The ED50 value for SRI 63-441 inhibition of hemoconcentration in the dog was 0.18 mg kg-1 i.v. In the primate model of PAF-induced hemoconcentration, controls responded to 3.5 micrograms kg-1 i.v. PAF with a 30 +/- 6% increase in hematocrit. Using the primates in a cross-over design, the ED50 of SRI 63-441 was 0.11 mg kg-1 i.v. At this ED50 value, the ratio of nmol kg-1 PAF used versus nmol kg-1 antagonist is approximately 1:25. The effectiveness of SRI 63-441 in these models suggest potential clinical applications in disease states involving hyperpermeability and pulmonary dysfunction.

Evaluation of dose and route effects of platelet activating factor-induced extravasation in the guinea pig.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a naturally occurring lipid that is reported to induce vessel hyperpermeability leading to loss of protein-rich plasma (extravasation). We have quantitated the systemic extravasation effects of synthetic PAF in the guinea pig by monitoring increases in hematocrit. When given intravenously (10-170 ng/kg), PAF produced dose-dependent increases in hematocrit, with maximal hemoconcentration developing in 5-7 min. In leukopenic animals the expected hematocrit increase was reduced by 57%. PAF given intra-arterially produced the dose-dependent changes in hematocrit similar to the intravenous effects of PAF. However, PAF given intraperitoneally (10-2500 micrograms/kg) was 800-1100-fold less effective than the other routes and hemoconcentration continued for 30-45 min until a maximal hematocrit was observed. These results show that PAF may markedly influence extravasation of plasma in a dose and route-dependent manner.

In vitro and in vivo pharmacological profiles of the PAF receptor antagonist SRI 63-675.

We have examined a recently developed PAF antagonist SRI 63-675 (dimethyl-tetrahydrofuran-methoxyphosphinyloxy-ethylquinolinium ) for its ability to inhibit several major PAF-induced physiological responses. The compound was a potent inhibitor of PAF-induced platelet aggregation in platelet rich plasma obtained from humans, guinea pigs, and rabbits, with IC50 values of 3.43, 0.25, and 0.97 microM, respectively. SRI 63-675 did not inhibit ADP, collagen nor epinephrine-induced human platelet aggregation. The IC50 for inhibition of PAF receptor binding to human platelets was 0.37 microM. In the rat SRI 63-675 inhibited 0.1 microgram kg-1 i.v. PAF-induced hypotension, with an ED50 of 32 micrograms kg-1 i.v. Using the same PAF challenge in the guinea pig, SRI 63-675 inhibited the hemoconcentration (ED50 = 17 micrograms kg-1 i.v.) and bronchoconstriction (ED50 = 24 micrograms kg-1 i.v.) responses. In the primate, the ED50 was 28 micrograms kg-1 i.v. against 3.5 micrograms kg-1 PAF-induced hemoconcentration. The ratio (1:6) in the primate of PAF used (6.3 nmol kg-1) to antagonist at the ED50 (40.7 nmol kg-1) indicates exceptional potency of SRI 63-675 in this species. The inhibition by SRI 63-675 of the major PAF-induced effects in the rat, guinea pig and primate suggests a common receptor may be involved in the expression of these PAF responses.

Prevention of non-specific airway hyperreactivity after allergen challenge in guinea-pigs by the PAF receptor antagonist SDZ 64-412.

1. Allergen challenge by aerosol in sensitized guinea-pigs elicited non-specific airway hyperreactivity assessed by reactivity to i.v. histamine or acetylcholine. Airway hyperreactivity to histamine persisted for at least 48 h and was accompanied by pulmonary eosinophilia as determined by bronchoalveolar lavage cell analysis. 2. Airway hyperreactivity was independent of vagal reflex mechanisms since it was not abrogated by bilateral vagotomy. 3. The novel platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist SDZ 64-412 inhibited the development of airway hyperreactivity, as measured 24 h after aerosol allergen challenge, when given as a single treatment orally 2 h before allergen challenge. The PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086 as well as methylprednisolone and ketotifen also showed efficacy in preventing development of airway hyperreactivity. 4. Neither the two PAF antagonists nor ketotifen had any effect on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophil numbers. Methylprednisolone was the only substance which readily prevented eosinophil recruitment in addition to airway hyperreactivity. 5. We conclude that allergen-induced airway hyperreactivity in guinea-pigs is inhibited by prophylactic anti-asthma drugs and specific PAF receptor antagonists, thus demonstrating a pivotal role of PAF in this response. There was a lack of correlation between airway hyperreactivity and the presence of BAL eosinophils.

Determinants of the uptake of very low density lipoprotein remnants by the perfused rat liver.

The receptor-mediated uptake of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) remnants by the rat liver was studied. Livers were perfused with native 125I-VLDL remnants, radiolabeled apo E-deficient remnants, and radiolabeled remnants that contained reductively methylated apo B and unmodified apo E. The specific uptake of the apo E-deficient remnants was 20% of that for the native remnants, whereas the specific uptake of the remnants containing unreactive apo B was 78% of the control value. This suggests that the apo E of VLDL remnants is the principal ligand for binding to the receptor, and in the absence of apo E, apo B may participate in binding. This conclusion is supported by the finding that dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC)- apo E complexes were effective in competing for the hepatic uptake of 125I-VLDL remnants. The intracellular distribution of radioactivity was analyzed by Percoll density gradient centrifugation. At five minutes after perfusion, radioactivity was associated with the plasma membrane and lysosomal fractions, and at 30 minutes most of the radioactivity was associated with the lysosomal fraction. Binding and internalization of VLDL remnants was also directly visualized by electron microscopy. Internalization proceeded by coated pit-coated vesicle formation with subsequent delivery to lysosomes. Our findings demonstrate that the apo E of VLDL remnants mediates binding to the hepatic receptor and that the internalization and degradation of VLDL remnants is by a similar pathway to that previously described for LDL.

Preclinical enantioselective pharmacology of (R)- and (S)- ketorolac.

Many of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are marketed as racemic mixtures, composed of (R)- and (S)- enantiomers. Racemic NSAIDs are potent cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors only through the action of the (S)- enantiomers, as the (R)- enantiomers do not exhibit COX inhibition. However, the (R)- enantiomer of ketoprofen exhibits potent analgesic activity and minimal ulcerogenic potential. To extend these observations, we examined the (R)- and (S)- enantiomers of RS- ketorolac, (S)- ketorolac exhibited potent COX1 and COX2 enzyme inhibition, whereas (R)- ketorolac was > 100-fold less active on both COX subtypes. Both enantiomers did not affect norepinephrine or serotonin uptake sites, and nitric oxidase or lipoxygenase activities, nor did they demonstrate any affinity for opioid receptors (mu, delta, or kappa). In experimental models, (S)- ketorolac exhibited about 10-fold greater activity than (R)- ketorolac in the murine phenylquinone writhing model. In this model, morphine sulfate was effective at much lower doses, however, and neither (R)- nor (S)- ketorolac showed any morphine-sparing effect. In the rat gait test for analgesia in the foot paw after injection of brewers yeast suspension, neither (R)- nor (S)- ketorolac affected paw volume. However, both provoked changes in gait scores, the (S)- enantiomer being 30-fold more potent than the (R)- enantiomer. A similar reduction was observed with respect to ulcerogenic potential, measured by direct microscopic changes after test conclusion. These findings suggest that (R)- ketorolac may possess analgesic activity that is independent of COX inhibition and may be associated with reduced ulcerogenic potential compared to effects exhibited by (S)- ketorolac.

Clinical endoscopic evaluation of the gastroduodenal tolerance to (R)- ketoprofen, (R)- flurbiprofen, racemic ketoprofen, and paracetamol: a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Ketoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the 2-arylpropionic acid class, causes gastroduodenal hemorrhages and erosions in 10-15% of patients. The (S)- enantiomer exhibits most of the anti-inflammatory properties, with concomitant gastrointestinal toxicity. The (R)- enantiomer, however, was recently found to have analgesic properties independent of prostaglandin inhibition. Seventy-two healthy male volunteers not receiving NSAIDs, alcohol, or anti-ulcer drugs, were enrolled in a randomized, investigator-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the gastroduodenal tolerance of (R)- ketoprofen 100 mg b.i.d., (R)- flurbiprofen 100 mg b.i.d., racemic ketoprofen 100 mg b.i.d., and paracetamol 1,000 mg b.i.d. Gastroduodenal endoscopies at baseline and after 2.5 days of dosing were used to detect newly occurring hemorrhages and erosions. Adverse events were also recorded. The incidence of submucosal hemorrhages was 4/16 in the (R)- ketoprofen group, 5/16 in the (R)- flurbiprofen group, 12/16 in the racemic ketoprofen group, 1/16 in the paracetamol group, and 1/8 in the placebo group. The incidence of erosions was 2/16 in the (R)- ketoprofen group, 4/16 in the (R)- flurbiprofen group, 10/16 in the racemic ketoprofen group, 0/16 in the paracetamol group, and 2/8 in the placebo group. The differences in hemorrhages and erosions among treatments were statistically significant (gastric hemorrhages P = 0.0008; duodenal hemorrhages P = 0.00062; gastric erosions P = 0.0004; duodenal erosions P = 0.0062, Kruskal-Wallis test). At 100 mg b.i.d., (R)- ketoprofen caused fewer gastroduodenal hemorrhages and erosions than racemic ketoprofen (P = 0.019, P = 0.0112, P = 0.0097, P = 0.0139 for gastric, duodenal hemorrhages and gastric, duodenal erosions, respectively). The difference between 100 mg b.i.d. (R)- ketoprofen and 100 mg b.i.d. (R)- flurbiprofen was not statistically significant. The dissociation between analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties for (R)- ketoprofen suggests that it may represent a unique analgesic with a favorable safety profile.

Inhibition by SRI 63-072 and SRI 63-119 of PAF-acether and immune complex effects in the guinea pig.

We have examined two PAF-acether receptor antagonists, SRI 63-072 and SRI 63-119, for their ability to inhibit PAF-acether and immune complex effects in the guinea pig. Both compounds exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of bronchoconstriction and hemoconcentration induced by 0.1 micrograms kg-1 PAF-acether, where the ED50 values of SRI 63-072 were 0.3/0.4 mg kg-1 i.a. and 0.14/0.17 mg kg-1 i.a. for SRI 63-119 for each response, respectively. The d and 1 chiral forms of both antagonists were equipotent towards inhibition of hemoconcentration and bronchoconstriction, suggesting a lack of enantiomeric selectively. SRI 63-072 was further evaluated for its ability to inhibit dermal extravasation in the reverse passive Arthus reaction. Guinea pigs given 125I-BSA i.v as antigen and anti-BSA antibodies by intradermal injection exhibited plasma leakage that was dose- and time-dependent relative to the antibody amount. SRI 63-072 exhibited 46% maximal inhibition of dermal plasma leakage when injected in the skin (100 micrograms site-1 i.d.) with the antibody but less than 10% inhibition when administered intra-arterially (3.0 mg kg-1 i.a.) with the antigen. Therefore, these antagonists effectively inhibit systemic effects of PAF-acether and are partially effective towards inhibition of the dermal extravasation induced by immune complexes. Furthermore, unlike the enantiomeric differences between R and S PAF-acether, the chiral molecules of 63-119 and 63-072 effectively antagonized hemoconcentration and bronchoconstriction induced by PAF-acether.

Single-isomer beta-agonists.

A new generation of bronchodilators is being developed for acute asthma management-single-isomer beta-agonists. These drugs consist only of the active bronchodilatory isomer (eutomer); they do not have the inactive and potentially harmful isomer (distomer) that is present in marketed racemic beta-agonists. Clinical studies comparing the effectiveness of (R)-albuterol (levalbuterol) with racemic albuterol established a strong rationale for using single-isomer beta-agonists in place of the racemic mixture: reduced dosages provide equivalent bronchodilatory effects with fewer beta-mediated side effects. Higher dosages achieve superior bronchodilation in episodes of severe asthma and may reduce costs of emergency department treatment.

Butvar B-98 as a thin support film.

Support films prepared from butvar B-98 resin are mechanically stable, electron transparent, and possess minimum intrinsic structure. A simple procedure for routine preparation of support films using this resin is provided.

Ultrastructure of hepatic cholesterol crystals in the hypercholesterolemic - diabetic rat.

The cellular morphology of lipid accumulation in the liver was examined in normal rats fed a diet containing cholesterol and cholic acid, and streptozotocin-diabetic rats fed the same diet. The cholesterol-fed non diabetic rats displayed moderate hypercholesterolemia (average cholesterol 317 mg/dl) whereas the cholesterol-fed diabetic rats exhibited severe hypercholesterolemia (cholesterol greater than 1300 mg/dl). Ultrastructural studies were performed on hepatic tissues following in situ fixation and water soluble embedment, which were used to reduce lipid extraction and minimize structural distortions. Although both groups exhibited hepatocyte lipid droplets, the accumulation was markedly accentuated in the diabetic animals. The Kupffer cells of the diabetic animals contained cytosolic lipid crystals that were membrane delimited and showed lattice ordering 3.9 +/- 2.2 nm periodicity. These findings suggest that cholesteryl ester crystals of the cholesteric phase, similar to those found in atherosclerotic lesions, may form in other cellular foci exposed to abnormally high plasma lipid levels.