Prolonged increase of plasma non-esterified fatty acids fully abolishes the stimulatory effect of 24 hours of moderate hyperglycaemia on insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell function in obese men.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: A prolonged increase of plasma NEFA impairs acute glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in vitro and in vivo. Our study therefore examined the combined effect of increased plasma NEFA and glucose on GSIS in humans. METHODS: We examined GSIS on four occasions in eight obese men during a 10 mmol/l hyperglycaemic clamp and after a 24-h infusion of (i) normal saline, (ii) intralipid and heparin to raise plasma NEFA about two-fold above basal, (iii) 20% dextrose to raise plasma glucose to about 7.5 mmol/l and (iv) intralipid and heparin combined with 20% dextrose to raise plasma NEFA and glucose. RESULTS: In study (iii) insulin sensitivity was about 20% greater than in study (i) and the disposition index was about 50% higher. Insulin sensitivity tended to be lower in study (ii) whereas the disposition index was lower than in study (i), confirming previous observations. The combination of increased plasma NEFA and glucose (study iv) reduced insulin sensitivity in comparison with study (i) and completely abolished the increase in insulin sensitivity and disposition index seen in study (iii), but did not reduce the latter to a lower value than that in the saline control study (study i). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: We showed that a prolonged increase of plasma NEFA completely abolishes the stimulatory effect of moderate hyperglycaemia on insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in obese humans. This suggests that previous observations, showing that a prolonged increase of plasma NEFA impairs pancreatic beta-cell function, also apply to the hyperglycaemic state.

Postprandial remnant-like lipoproteins in hypertriglyceridemia.

It has been proposed that remnants of chylomicrons and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) are atherogenic. We have used an immunochemical method to isolate remnant-like particles (RLP) and measured them in terms of their cholesterol and triglycerides (TG). RLP consist of apoB-48-containing triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and remnant-like VLDL containing apoB-100. The study aim was to look for information from postprandial RLP data that could not be known from other markers of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and fasting TG and RLP data alone. A total of 41 subjects were studied. Eight subjects had hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), 14 had combined hyperlipidemia (CH), 5 had the apo E2/2 genotype receiving gemfibrozil, 10 were normolipidemic (NL) controls, and 4 had hypercholesterolemia. As a whole group, there was correlation among 1) fasting TG, RLP cholesterol (RLP-C), and RLP-TG but not VLDL apo B100, VLDL apo B48 and their respective postprandial responses measured as incremental area under the curve (IAUC), 2) fasting TG and postprandial IAUC of RLP-C and RLP-TG, 3) RLP-C IAUC, RLP-TG IAUC, and TG IAUC, retinyl palmitate (RP) IAUC, and VLDL apo B48 IAUC but not VLDL apo B100 IAUC. The HTG/low HDL-C and CH groups had higher IAUC for RLP-C, RLP-TG, TG, and RP than the NL group. Fasting and postprandial RLP were triglyceride enriched in the HTG/low HDL-C group and to a lesser extent in the CH group. The HTG/low HDL-C and CH groups had a delay in their RLP-C but not RLP-TG peaks suggesting a delay in hepatic clearance of RLP and/or a protracted period of lipolysis and/or processing of RLP. The fasting and postprandial RLP-C/RLP-TG and RLP-C/TG ratios were elevated in the apo E2/2 group in spite of gemfibrozil therapy. The increment in postprandial RLP was, however, not exaggerated. Our data indicate that 1) postprandial RLP lipemia is enhanced in HTG subjects when compared with NL subjects, 2) postprandial RLP lipemia is proportional to fasting RLP and TG levels and mirrors, to a large extent, increases in postprandial TG, RP, and VLDL apo B48 but not VLDL apo B100, 3) there are compositional differences in fasting and postprandial RLP in the three forms of HTG studied, RLP being triglyceride enriched in the HTG/low HDL-C group and to a lesser extent in the CH group, and cholesterol-enriched in the apo E2/2 group, and 4) apo E2/2 subjects had high fasting and postprandial RLP-C concentrations in spite of being on treatment with gemfibrozil and having normal fasting and postprandial TG concentrations.

The effect of systemic versus portal insulin delivery in pancreas transplantation on insulin action and VLDL metabolism.

Combined kidney-pancreas transplantation (KPT) with anastomosis of the pancreatic vein to the systemic circulation (KPT-S) or to the portal circulation (KPT-P) provides a human model in which the chronic effects of portal versus systemic insulin delivery on glucose and VLDL metabolism can be examined. Despite similar plasma glucose and C-peptide levels, KPT-S (n = 9) had an approximate twofold elevation of fasting and intravenous glucose-stimulated plasma insulin levels compared with both KPT-P (n = 7) and healthy control subjects (n = 15). The plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels were elevated in both transplant groups versus control subjects, but the plasma insulin elevation necessary to lower plasma FFA by 50% was approximately two times higher in KPT-S versus KPT-P and control subjects. Endogenous glucose production was similar in KPT-S and KPT-P, despite approximately 35% higher hepatic insulin levels in the latter, and was suppressed to a greater extent during a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp in KPT-S versus KPT-P. Total-body glucose utilization during the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp was approximately 40% lower in KPT-S versus KPT-P, indicating peripheral tissue but not hepatic insulin resistance in KPT-S versus KPT-P. Both transplant groups had an approximate twofold elevation of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoprotein apolipoprotein B (apoB) and lipids versus control subjects. Elevation of VLDL-apoB and VLDL-TG in both transplant groups was entirely explained by an approximately 50% reduction in clearance of VLDL compared with healthy control subjects. In the presence of increased FFA load but in the absence of hepatic overinsulinization and marked hepatic insulin resistance, there was no elevation of VLDL secretion in KPT-S versus KPT-P and control subjects. These findings suggest that chronic systemic hyperinsulinemia and peripheral tissue insulin resistance with the consequent elevation of plasma FFA flux are insufficient per se to cause VLDL overproduction and that additional factors, such as hepatic hyperinsulinemia and/or gross insulin resistance, may be an essential prerequisite in the pathogenesis of VLDL overproduction in the common form of the insulin resistance syndrome.

Triglyceride enrichment of HDL does not alter HDL-selective cholesteryl ester clearance in rabbits.

Triglyceride (TG) enrichment of high density lipoprotein (HDL), which occurs in hypertriglyceridemic states, significantly enhances the rate at which HDL apolipoprotein (apo)A-I is cleared from the circulation of healthy humans. In the New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit, a species naturally deficient in hepatic lipase (HL), TG enrichment of HDL requires prior lipolytic modification to enhance apoA-I clearance. However, the effect of TG enrichment of HDL on the subsequent clearance of HDL cholesteryl ester (CE) has not previously been examined in vivo. Therefore, we investigated, in the NZW rabbit, the effect of ex vivo TG enrichment of rabbit HDL (by incubation with human very low density lipoprotein) on the clearance of HDL CE and apoA-I radiolabeled with (3)H-cholesteryl oleyl ether and with (131)I, respectively. In nine experiments, TG enrichment of rabbit HDL resulted in an 87% average increase in HDL TG and a corresponding 31% reduction in HDL CE content. The calculated apoA-I and CE fractional catabolic rates associated with TG-rich versus fasting HDL tracers were not significantly different (apoA-I: 0.119 +/- 0.017 vs. 0.107 +/- 0.024 pools per h, P = 0.68; CE: 0.147 +/- 0.014 vs. 0.114 +/- 0.019 pools per h, P = 0.20). In an animal model deficient in HL, TG enrichment of HDL did not alter the rates of HDL apoA-I or selective CE clearance. Further studies are needed to determine whether, in the presence of HL, TG enrichment of HDL alters selective HDL CE clearance.

A comparison of stavudine plus lamivudine versus zidovudine plus lamivudine in combination with indinavir in antiretroviral naive individuals with HIV infection: selection of thymidine analog regimen therapy (START I).

BACKGROUND: No clinical trial results directly comparing two nucleoside analog pairs in a drug regimen for HIV that includes a protease inhibitor are available. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of stavudine (d4T) + lamivudine (3TC) with zidovudine (ZDV) + 3TC, each in combination with indinavir (IDV). DESIGN: Randomized, open-label, multi-center. SETTING: Fifteen HIV clinical research centers. PATIENTS: Two-hundred and four antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected-patients with CD4 cell counts > or = 200 x 10(6)/l and HIV-1 RNA > or = 10,000 copies/ml (bDNA assay), modified to 5000 copies/ml. INTERVENTION: d4T 40 mg twice a day, 3TC 150 mg twice a day plus IDV 800 mg every 8 h compared with ZDV 200 mg every 8 h (modified to 300 mg every 12 h) plus 3TC and IDV. MEASUREMENTS: Primary endpoint: plasma HIV-1 RNA < 500 copies/ml. Additional endpoints: HIV-1 RNA < or = 50 copies/ml; change from baseline in HIV-1 RNA and CD4 cell counts; safety and adverse events. RESULTS: For HIV-1 RNA, 62% of patients on d4T + 3TC + IDV and 54% of patients on ZDV + 3TC + IDV had < 500 copies/ml HIV RNA at weeks 40 through 48 [90% confidence interval, -0.204 to 0.036; P= 0.213], with 49% and 47% respectively achieving < or = 50 copies/ml at 48 weeks (90% CI, -0.134 to 0.096; P = 0.834). Median change in CD4 cell counts at 48 weeks was +227 x 10(6)/l and +198 x 10(6)/l for the d4T- and ZDV-containing arms, respectively. The median time-weighted average change from baseline in CD4 cell counts was significantly greater at 48 weeks in the d4T-containing arm (142 x 10(6)/l versus 110 x 10(6)/l; P = 0.033). Serious adverse events were not significantly different between treatment arms, but there were significant differences for frequency of adverse events of all severity with increased nausea and vomiting in the ZDV-containing arm, and increased diarrhea and rash in the d4T-containing arm. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the choice of d4T + 3TC as a nucleoside analog pair in combination with a protease inhibitor in an initial HIV treatment regimen.

Triglyceride enrichment of HDL enhances in vivo metabolic clearance of HDL apo A-I in healthy men.

Triglyceride (TG) enrichment of HDL resulting from cholesteryl ester transfer protein-mediated exchange with TG-rich lipoproteins may enhance the lipolytic transformation and subsequent metabolic clearance of HDL particles in hypertriglyceridemic states. The present study investigates the effect of TG enrichment of HDL on the clearance of HDL-associated apo A-I in humans. HDL was isolated from plasma of six normolipidemic men (mean age: 29.7 +/- 2.7 years) in the fasting state and after a five-hour intravenous infusion with a synthetic TG emulsion, Intralipid. Intralipid infusion resulted in a 2.1-fold increase in the TG content of HDL. Each tracer was then whole-labeled with 125I or 131I and injected intravenously into the subject. Apo A-I in TG-enriched HDL was cleared 26% more rapidly than apo A-I in fasting HDL. A strong correlation between the Intralipid-induced increase in the TG content of HDL and the increase in HDL apo A-I fractional catabolic rate reinforced the importance of TG enrichment of HDL in enhancing its metabolic clearance. HDL was separated further into lipoproteins containing apo A-II (LpAI:AII) and those without apo A-II (LpAI). Results revealed that the enhanced clearance of apo A-I from TG-enriched HDL could be largely attributed to differences in the clearance of LpAI but not LpAI:AII. This is, to our knowledge, the first direct demonstration in humans that TG enrichment of HDL enhances the clearance of HDL apo A-I from the circulation. This phenomenon could provide an important mechanism explaining how HDL apo A-I and HDL cholesterol are lowered in hypertriglyceridemic states.

Apolipoprotein B-48 and retinyl palmitate are not equivalent markers of postprandial intestinal lipoproteins.

This study compared retinyl palmitate and apolipoprotein (apo) B-48 as markers of postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Nine non-diabetic men received an oral vitamin A-containing fat load. We measured retinyl palmitate, apoB-48, apoB-100, and triglyceride levels in Sf > 400, Sf 60-400 and Sf 20-60 lipoproteins. The peak retinyl palmitate concentration was delayed compared to the peak apoB-48 concentration in each fraction. The discrepancy between retinyl palmitate and apoB-48 was further investigated in another study of 12 men. In that study, a fat load was given and 5 h later, lipolysis was stimulated in vivo with heparin (60 U/kg, i.v.) and the same parameters were followed. Thirty minutes after heparin, triglyceride levels decreased significantly in the three triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fractions (Sf > 400, Sf 60-400 and Sf 20-60). ApoB-48 levels also fell significantly in the three triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fractions. In contrast, retinyl palmitate concentrations did not change significantly in Sf > 400 and Sf 60-400 fractions and increased significantly in the Sf 20-60 fraction. Our results indicate that retinyl palmitate and apolipoprotein B-48 do not mark the same properties of postprandial intestinal lipoproteins. The metabolic pattern of apolipoprotein B-48 parallels that of triglyceride. One possible explanation for these observations is that the apoB-48-containing triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are metabolically heterogeneous and that older particles, those in circulation for a longer period of time, may be cleared more rapidly than newer ones.

Analysis of particle size and lipid composition as determinants of the metabolic clearance of human high density lipoproteins in a rabbit model.

Hypertriglyceridemia is commonly associated with triglyceride (TG) enrichment of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and reduction in HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I levels. We have recently reported that lipolytic modification of TG-rich HDL, which reduces particle size, enhances its clearance from the circulation. In the present study, we examined the role of particle size and lipid composition in determining the metabolic clearance of human HDL, in the absence of substantial in vivo modification of the particle by hepatic lipase. The rabbit, which has a very low hepatic lipase activity, was used for this purpose. Plasma fractions d < 1.21 g/ml were first isolated by ultracentrifugation from fasting humans with normal (NTG, n=6, mean plasma TG concentration=1.26+/-0.21 (SEM) mmol/l) or elevated plasma TG levels (HTG, n=5, TG=4.49+/-0.65 mmol/l). Small and large HDL particles were separated by gel filtration chromatography and were labeled with either 125I or (131)I. Large HDL were cleared more rapidly than small HDL in 10 out of 11 studies (P=0.006). There was, however, no difference in the fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of large HDL isolated from NTG versus from HTG subjects or in the FCR of small HDL from NTG versus HTG individuals. There was also no correlation between the TG content of HDL and its FCR. In summary, large, lipid-rich human high density lipoproteins (HDL) are cleared more rapidly than small human HDL in rabbits. These results, combined with our previous observation, also support the hypothesis that triglyceride enrichment of HDL, in the absence of substantial lipolytic modification, is not sufficient to enhance its clearance from the circulation.

Important contribution of lipoprotein particle number to plasma triglyceride concentration in type 2 diabetes.

The aim of the present study was to determine the contributions of particle size versus number to differences in plasma triglyceride-rich lipoprotein concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes. Fasting plasma was obtained from 174 consecutive eligible men and women with type 2 diabetes (with or without insulin treatment, mean age 57.0 + 6.3 years) who were undergoing coronary angiography. The triglyceride-rich (Sf 12-400) lipoproteins (TRL) were subfractionated into the Sf 12-60 and Sf 60-400 subfractions. Particle numbers, estimated by measuring apolipoprotein B by electroimmunoassay, in each of these lipoprotein fractions were related to enzymatically determined triglyceride levels in the triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Approximately 87% of the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles were in the Sf 12-60 fraction and 13% in the Sf 60-400 fraction. Multiple linear regression indicated that 69% (i.e. r2=0.69) of the variance in the triglyceride levels could by explained by differences in TRL particle number and 17% (i. e. r2=0.17) by the differences in particle triglyceride content. These observations are similar in each gender and in those with or without insulin treatment. In conclusion, in type 2 diabetes, the vast majority of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are smaller particles which are in the Sf 12-60 fraction. Differences in particle number, rather than triglyceride content, account for approximately 70% of the differences in triglyceride levels observed between individuals. Previous demonstrations, in those without diabetes, of an association between small triglyceride-rich lipoproteins with coronary artery disease suggest the importance of these findings to the increased atherosclerosis in diabetes.

Production of small high-density lipoprotein particles after stimulation of in vivo lipolysis in hypertriglyceridemic individuals: studies before and after triglyceride-lowering therapy.

In hypertriglyceridemic states, triglyceride enrichment of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may play an important role in decreasing the HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) A-1 plasma concentration. We have shown previously that HDL particles are transformed into small HDLs when lipolysis is stimulated in vivo or in vitro, and this process is more marked if the HDL is triglyceride-rich. The present study was conducted to determine whether the susceptibility of HDL to transformation can be altered by triglyceride-lowering therapy in humans. Seventeen moderately hypertriglyceridemic individuals (nine with type II diabetes mellitus and eight moderately hypertriglyceridemic nondiabetic subjects) were studied before and after 3 months of triglyceride-lowering therapy with gemfibrozil. Since no significant differences in postprandial and postheparin HDL metabolism were detected between type II diabetic and nondiabetic subjects, results are reported for the two groups combined (N = 17). Fasting HDL was triglyceride-rich with a preponderance of HDL3, and became more enriched with triglycerides postprandially. Heparin administration resulted in a rapid decrease in plasma and HDL triglycerides and an increase in plasma and HDL free fatty acids (FFAs). Postheparin, there was a reduction in HDL size and an increase in the proportion of small (HDL3c) HDL particles (HDL3c constituted 7.1% +/- 1.8% of total HDL preheparin and 26.6% +/- 3.8% postheparin, P < .001). Triglyceride-lowering treatment resulted in a decrease in fasting triglycerides (-54%, P < .001) and HDL triglyceride content (-36%, P = .002), an increase in fasting HDL cholesterol (19%, P = .004), and proportionately fewer (13.2% +/- 2.1%, P < .001) HDL3c particles formed postheparin. Postheparin HDL size correlated inversely with the fasting triglyceride level (r = -.55, P < .001) and HDL triglyceride concentration (r = -.34, P = .02). These results show that the postprandial increase in triglyceride levels in hypertriglyceridemic subjects is associated with increased production of small HDL particles when lipolysis is stimulated, and that lipid-lowering therapy can contribute to favorably reduce this postprandial production of small HDL particles. Further studies are needed to clarify how these abnormalities ultimately lead to a decrease of plasma HDL cholesterol and apo A-1 in hypertriglyceridemic states.

Clearance of postprandial and lipolytically modified human HDL in rabbits and rats.

Triglyceride (TG) enrichment of high density lipoproteins (HDL) in hypertriglyceridemic states renders the particles vulnerable to lipolysis, which reduces their size. In the present study we modified the size and composition of HDL in vivo in hypertriglyceridemic humans by administering a bolus of intravenous heparin, and tested the subsequent clearance of the isolated HDL particles in rabbits and rats. HDL was isolated by ultracentrifugation from 21 moderately hypertriglyceridemic humans, 5 h after ingestion of a high fat meal and then 15 min after an intravenous heparin bolus (60 U/kg). Postprandial large TG-rich preheparin HDL and small, TG-poor postheparin HDL were labeled with either 125I or 131I. The clearance of apoA-I associated with each HDL tracer was determined by injecting the tracers 1) simultaneously (n = 13) and 2) sequentially (n = 8) into male New Zealand White rabbits, an hepatic lipase-deficient animal, and 3) by injecting the tracers simultaneously into male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8), an animal that has hepatic lipase. Die-away curves of each radiolabeled tracer were analyzed using a two-pool model that assumes the existence of an intravascular pool in dynamic equilibrium with an extravascular pool. In the rabbit studies, the fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of small, postheparin TG-poor HDL was greater than the FCR of the larger TG-rich HDL (11% greater in the simultaneous study, P < 0.001, and 45% greater in the sequential study, P < 0.001). Opposite results were observed in rats as large TG-rich preheparin particles showed a greater FCR (1.8-fold) than smaller TG-poor postheparin HDL (P < 0.05). These data suggest that although size and composition of HDL can influence its catabolism, the effect is not always in the same direction and depends on other factors present in vivo.

The severity of coronary atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus is related to the number of circulating triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particles.

The presence or absence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in diabetic patients has been related to the level of circulating plasma lipoproteins. This study examines whether there is a relationship between the actual severity of CAD and the plasma concentration of major classes of plasma lipoproteins (HDL, LDL, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL), and their Sf 12 to 60 and Sf 60 to 400 subfractions), particularly the numbers of lipoprotein particles, in men and women with type 2 diabetes. 174 diabetic patients (136 men, 38 women) who underwent angiography were studied. Nine specific coronary segments were scored. The population was divided into tertiles according to the angiographic severity of their coronary disease: mild CAD: coronary score 1 to 10; moderate CAD: coronary score 11 to 13; or severe CAD: coronary score 14 to 22. The main findings were that the numbers of particles (as reflected by the apoB levels) of the TRL were greater in those with moderate and severe disease than in those with mild disease (P = .001). There was a significant correlation between the coronary score and the apoB in TRL (P = .006). There were parallel but nonsignificant changes in triglyceride levels. ApoA-I was lower in patients with moderate and severe disease (P = .01). These differences were more striking in women than they were in men. There were no differences in plasma, LDL, or HDL cholesterol or in LDL apoB or Lp(a). Multiple linear regression analysis, when adjusted for sex, age, and BMI, showed that three lipid variables (TRL apoB, LDL cholesterol, and plasma apoA-I) significantly and independently predicted the coronary score. This study demonstrates that in type 2 diabetes, the severity of angiographically evaluated CAD is positively related to the numbers of TRL particles in the plasma. This relationship is stronger in women than in men, and it is independent of HDL and LDL.

Interaction between free fatty acids and insulin in the acute control of very low density lipoprotein production in humans.

Changes in VLDL triglyceride and VLDL apo B production were determined semiquantitatively in healthy young men by examining the effect of altering plasma insulin and/or FFA levels on the change in the slopes of the specific activity of VLDL [3H]triglyceride glycerol or the 131I-VLDL apo B versus time curves. In one study (n = 8) insulin was infused for 5 h using the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. Plasma FFA levels declined by approximately 80% (0.52 +/- 0.01 to 0.11 +/- 0.02 mmol/liter), VLDL triglyceride production decreased by 66.7 +/- 4.2% (P = 0.0001) and VLDL apo B production decreased by 51.7 +/- 10.6% (P = 0.003). In a second study (n = 8) heparin and Intralipid (Baxter Corp., Toronto, Canada) were infused with insulin to prevent the insulin-mediated fall in plasma FFA levels. Plasma FFA increased approximately twofold (0.43 +/- 0.05 to 0.82 + 0.13 mmol/liter), VLDL triglyceride production decreased to a lesser extent than with insulin alone (P = 0.006) (-31.8 +/- 9.5%, decrease from baseline P = 0.03) and VLDL apo B production did not decrease significantly (-6.3 +/- 13.6%, P = NS). In a third study (n = 8) when heparin and Intralipid were infused without insulin, FFA levels rose approximately twofold (0.53 +/- 0.04 to 0.85 +/- 0.1 mmol/liter), VLDL triglyceride production increased by 180.1 +/- 45.7% (P = 0.008) and VLDL apo B production increased by 94.2 +/- 28.7% (P = 0.05). We confirm our previous observation that acute hyperinsulinemia suppresses VLDL triglyceride and VLDL apo B production in healthy humans. In addition, we have demonstrated that elevation of plasma FFA levels acutely stimulates VLDL production in vivo in healthy young males. Elevating plasma FFA during hyperinsulinemia attenuates but does not completely abolish the suppressive effect of insulin on VLDL production, at least with respect to VLDL triglycerides. Therefore, in normal individuals the acute inhibition of VLDL production by insulin in vivo is only partly due to the suppression of plasma FFA, and may also be due to an FFA-independent process.

VLDL production is decreased to a similar extent by acute portal vs. peripheral venous insulin.

Acute changes in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride (TG) and VLDL apolipoprotein (apo) B production were examined in 11 healthy young males in response to insulin delivered either by the peripheral venous route or secreted directly by the pancreas. Steady rates of pancreatic insulin secretion were achieved for 5 h by a programmed intravenous tolbutamide infusion, while euglycemia was maintained with a dextrose infusion. Insulin secretory rate was calculated from peripheral C-peptide levels by deconvolution, and, in a subsequent study, exogenous insulin was infused peripherally to match this pancreatic insulin secretory rate in each subject. Changes in VLDL TG and VLDL apo B production were determined semiquantitatively on each occasion by examining the change in slope of the specific activity (SA) of 3H-labeled triglyceride glycerol ([3H]TGG) and 131I-VLDL apo B vs. time curves, respectively, occurring with acute hyperinsulinemia. Plasma-free fatty acids (FFA), TG, apo B, and VLDL TG/VLDL apo B ratio decreased to a similar extent in both studies after the onset of hyperinsulinemia. VLDL TG production decreased significantly in both the tolbutamide (-47.1 +/- 7.3%, P < 0.002) and the exogenous insulin infusion study (-52.8 +/- 12.4%, P < 0.005). VLDL apo B production also decreased significantly in both studies (-58.9 +/- 7.5%, P = 0.0007 and -52.1 +/- 6.8%, P < 0.006, respectively), and there were no significant differences between studies. Tolbutamide was shown to have no independent effect on VLDL TG or VLDL apo B production in four insulin-deficient diabetic subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Postprandial lipoproteins and progression of coronary atherosclerosis.

The relations between triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, alimentary lipaemia and coronary heart disease (CHD) have remained obscure and much debated. We studied the basal and postprandial plasma levels of chylomicron remnants and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) of varying particle size in 32 male postinfarction patients (mean (S.D.) age 48.8 (3.2) years) and in 10 age-matched control men. The selective quantification of postprandial intestinal and hepatic lipoproteins was accomplished by determining apolipoproteins B-48 and B-100 in lipoprotein subfractions of Svedberg flotation (Sf) rates > 12 before and 3, 6 and 12 h after an oral fat load. Since all patients had undergone two coronary angiographies with an intervening time interval of around 5 years, lipoprotein fractions were examined in relation to the global severity as well as the rate of progression of coronary lesions. The postprandial plasma levels of small chylomicron remnants (Sf 20-60 apolipoprotein B-48) were found to relate distinctly to the rate of progression of coronary lesions between the angiographies (r = 0.51, P = 0.01). Adjustment for the possible confounding effect of the HDL cholesterol and dense LDL apolipoprotein B concentrations did not substantially alter the strength of this association. Neither the increment of plasma triglyceride during the postprandial period nor the concentrations of other lipoprotein fractions closely reflected the amount of small chylomicron remnants in the circulation or correlated with progression of coronary lesions. Our data suggest that small chylomicron remnants are implicated in the progression of coronary artery disease.

Effects of acute hyperinsulinemia on VLDL triglyceride and VLDL apoB production in normal weight and obese individuals.

The effects of short-term hyperinsulinemia on the production of both VLDL triglyceride and VLDL apoB were determined semiquantitatively before and during a 6-h euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (40 mU.m-2 x min-1) in 17 women (8 chronically hyperinsulinemic obese, BMI = 35.7 kg/m2; 9 normal weight, BMI = 22.5 kg/m2). During acute hyperinsulinemia, plasma FFA decreased by approximately 95% within 1 h in both groups. VLDL triglyceride production decreased 66% in the control subjects (P = 0.0003) and 67% in obese subjects (P = 0.0003). ApoB production decreased 53% in control subjects (P = 0.03) but only 8% in obese (NS). Plasma triglycerides decreased by 40% from baseline in control subjects (P < 0.0001) but only by 10% in obese subjects (P = NS). Despite the similar decrease in triglyceride and apoB production in control subjects, VLDL particle size (triglyceride-to-apoB ratio) decreased with hyperinsulinemia (P = 0.003). In obese subjects, despite a decrease in triglyceride production similar to that in control subjects but no change in apoB production, VLDL size did not change appreciably. Acute hyperinsulinemia in humans: 1) suppresses plasma FFA equally in control and obese subjects at this high dose of insulin; 2) inhibits VLDL triglyceride production equally in control and obese subjects, perhaps secondary to the decrease in FFA; 3) inhibits VLDL apoB production in control but less so in obese subjects, suggesting that obese subjects may be resistant to this effect of insulin; 4) decreases plasma triglyceride and VLDL particle size in control subjects, reflecting either stimulation of LPL activity or a greater relative decrease in triglyceride to apoB production; and 5) does not decrease plasma triglyceride or VLDL size in obese subjects to the same extent as it does in control subjects. Thus, the insulin resistance of obesity affects some but not all aspects of VLDL metabolism.

Clinical utility of an enhanced human immunodeficiency virus type 1 p24 antigen capture assay.

The presence of p24 core antigen in the serum of individuals with human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has been used as one of the important prognostic markers of HIV-1 infection and also as an end point in evaluating antiviral drugs and vaccines. Unfortunately the majority of p24 antigen present in serum exists as an antigen-antibody complex and is not detected with the commercial kits currently available to measure p24 antigen. In this study, we report a simple procedure utilizing treatment of serum samples with glycine buffer (pH 1.85) to dissociate antigen-antibody complexes prior to assaying for p24 antigen. A 300% increase in the number of p24-reactive samples and a 3- to 12-fold increase in the quantity of antigen detected were observed when samples were pretreated with 1.5 M glycine buffer (pH 1.85) for 1 hr. Glycine treatment of samples did not result in non-specific positive tests and samples previously shown to be reactive remained positive. In reconstruction experiments the release of antigen was found to be inversely proportional to the amount of p24 antibody present in the serum. The percentage of HIV-1-infected patients positive for p24 antigen was clearly a function of CD4 count. Forty-nine percent of patients with more than 500 CD4 cells and 100% of patients with less than 200 CD4 were p24 positive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Envelope-specific antibodies in the saliva of individuals vaccinated with recombinant HIV-1 gp160.

HIV-1-specific antibodies have been detected in the saliva of seropositive individuals and may play a role in preventing oral transmission of the virus. We have analyzed saliva samples obtained from HIV-1-seronegative individuals who were immunized with various dosages of a recombinant HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (gp160) vaccine for the presence of antibodies to HIV-1. Antibodies specific for envelope glycoproteins were detected in saliva from all of the volunteers, with those vaccinated with the higher doses of 640 and 1,280 micrograms showing the strongest responses. Peak salivary antibody titers were obtained 4-14 weeks after vaccination; they then gradually dropped in parallel with serum antibody titers. These envelope-specific antibodies were detected in whole saliva and in submandibular saliva but not in parotid saliva, suggesting that the source of antibodies in saliva is from serum transudation. The class of reactive antibodies was found to be IgG. The HIV-1-specific antibodies in the saliva of vaccinated individuals may offer local protection against HIV-1 infection.