Synthetic nanoemulsion resembling a protein-free model of 7-ketocholesterol containing low density lipoprotein: In vitro and in vivo studies.

7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) differs from cholesterol by a functional ketone group at C7. It is an oxygenated cholesterol derivative (oxysterol), commonly present in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Oxysterols are generated and participate in several physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. For instance, the cytotoxic effects of oxidized LDL have been widely attributed to bioactive compounds like oxysterols. The toxicity is in part due to 7-KC. Here we aimed to demonstrate the possibility of incorporating 7-KC into the synthetic nanoemulsion LDE, which resembles LDL in composition and behavior. This would provide a suitable artificial particle resembling LDL to study 7-KC metabolism. We were able to incorporate 7-KC in several amounts into LDE. The incorporation was evaluated and confirmed by several methods, including gel filtration chromatography, using radiolabeled lipids. The incorporation did not change the main lipid composition characteristics of the new nanoparticle. Particle sizes were also evaluated and did not differ from LDE. In vivo studies were performed by injecting the nanoemulsion into mice. The plasma kinetics and the targeted organs were the same as described for LDE. Therefore, 7-KC-LDE maintains composition, size and some functional characteristics of LDE and could be used in experiments dealing with 7-ketocholesterol metabolism in lipoproteins.

Synthetic nanoemulsion resembling a protein-free model of 7-ketocholesterol containing low density lipoprotein: In vitro and in vivo studies

7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) differs from cholesterol by a functional ketone group at C7. It is an oxygenated cholesterol derivative (oxysterol), commonly present in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Oxysterols are generated and participate in several physiologic and pathophysiologic processes. For instance, the cytotoxic effects of oxidized LDL have been widely attributed to bioactive compounds like oxysterols. The toxicity is in part due to 7-KC. Here we aimed to demonstrate the possibility of incorporating 7-KC into the synthetic nanoemulsion LDE, which resembles LDL in composition and behavior. This would provide a suitable artificial particle resembling LDL to study 7-KC metabolism. We were able to incorpórate 7-KC in several amounts into LDE. The incorporation was evaluated and confirmed by several methods, including gel filtration chromatography, using radiolabeled lipids. The incorporation did not change the main lipid composition characteristics of the new nanoparticle. Particle sizes were also evaluated and did not differ from LDE. In vivo studies were performed by injecting the nanoemulsion into mice. The plasma kinetics and the targeted organs were the same as described for LDE. Therefore, 7-KC-LDE maintains composition, size and some functional characteristics of LDE and could be used in experiments dealing with 7-ketocholesterol metabolism in lipoproteins.

Cholesterol oxidation is increased and PUFA decreased by frozen storage and grilling of Atlantic hake fillets (Merluccius hubbsi).

Fresh fillets of Atlantic hake were stored at -18 degrees C for 120 days and changes in lipid composition and the formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COP) during storage and subsequent grilling were evaluated. Fresh hake showed low COP levels (8.0 microg/g, dry basis); however, a significant increase in COP (P < 0.02) and a concomitant decrease in the cholesterol and polyunsaturated fatty acids content during frozen storage and after grilling were observed. The main cholesterol oxides present in the analyzed samples were: 19-Hydroxycholesterol, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, 22(S)-hydroxycholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, 25(R)-hydroxycholesterol and 7-Ketocholesterol. The oxides which were more influenced by the thermal treatment were 24(S)-OH and 25(R)-OH; however, after 120 days of storage 7-ketocholesterol was the main product formed. Frozen storage and subsequent grilling under domestic conditions are important factors in damage of cholesterol and unsaturated fatty acids levels, with consequent production of cholesterol oxides, although the mechanism of the formation of these compounds by the different processes is probably different.