Removal of Chylomicron Remnants from the Bloodstream is Delayed in Aged Subjects.

Dietary fats absorbed in the intestine are transported in the circulation as chylomicrons and remnants that have atherogenic potential. Although postprandial lipidemia is increased in older subjects, the specific chylomicron metabolism has not been explored in older subjects nor compared to young subjects, which is the focus of this study. After a 12 h fast, artificially-made emulsions similar to lymph chylomicrons and doubly labeled with radioactive cholesteryl esters and triglycerides were intravenously injected in 23 older (66±4 years) and 20 young (24±3 years) subjects. Sequential blood samples were collected to determine fractional clearance rates (FCR, in min-1) by compartmental analysis. Older subjects had higher LDL-cholesterol (p<0.001) and triglycerides (p<0.0001) than young subjects; HDL-cholesterol presented no difference. The emulsion cholesteryl-ester FCR was lower in older subjects compared to the young (p=0.0001). The emulsion triglyceride FCR did not differ in the two groups. Tested in vitro, however, the lipolysis of the emulsion triglycerides was less intense in the older than in the young subjects. As delayed removal of remnants, indicated by the pronouncedly smaller cholesteryl ester FCR, is related to the presence of cardiovascular diseases, this can be a risk factor which could accelerate atherogenic complications occurring in aged subjects.

Plasma kinetics of chylomicron-like emulsion and lipid transfers to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in lacto-ovo vegetarian and in omnivorous subjects.

PURPOSE: Previously, it was showed that vegan diet improves the metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by increasing the plasma clearance of atherogenic remnants. The aim of the current study was to investigate this metabolism in lacto-ovo vegetarians whose diet is less strict, allowing the ingestion of eggs and milk. Transfer of lipids to HDL, an important step in HDL metabolism, was tested in vitro. METHODS: Eighteen lacto-ovo vegetarians and 29 omnivorous subjects, all eutrophic and normolipidemic, were intravenously injected with triglyceride-rich emulsions labeled with ¹4C-cholesterol oleate and ³H-triolein. Fractional clearance rates (FCR, in min⁻¹) were calculated from samples collected during 60 min. Lipid transfer to HDL was assayed by incubating plasma samples with a donor nanoemulsion labeled with radioactive lipids. RESULTS: LDL cholesterol was lower in vegetarians than in omnivores (2.1 ± 0.8 and 2.7 ± 0.7 mmol/L, respectively, p < 0.05), but HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were equal. Cholesteryl ester FCR was greater in vegetarians than in omnivores (0.016 ± 0.012, 0.003 ± 0.003, p < 0.01), whereas triglyceride FCR was equal. Cholesteryl ester transfer to HDL was lower in vegetarians than in omnivores (2.7 ± 0.6, 3.5 ± 1.5 %, p < 0.05), but free cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid transfers and HDL size were equal. CONCLUSION: Similarly to vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarian diet increases remnant removal, as indicated by cholesteryl oleate FCR, which may favor atherosclerosis prevention, and has the ability to change lipid transfer to HDL.

Lipid metabolism in subclinical hypothyroidism: plasma kinetics of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and lipid transfers to high-density lipoprotein before and after levothyroxine treatment.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has been associated with atherosclerosis, but the abnormalities in plasma lipids that can contribute to atherogenesis are not prominent. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that patients with normocholesterolemic, normotriglyceridemic SCH display abnormalities in plasma lipid metabolism not detected in routine laboratory tests including abnormalities in the intravascular metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, lipid transfers to high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and paraoxonase 1 activity. The impact of levothyroxine (LT4) treatment and euthyroidism in these parameters was also tested. METHODS: The study included 12 SCH women and 10 matched controls. Plasma kinetics of an artificial triglyceride-rich emulsion labeled with radioactive triglycerides and cholesteryl esters as well as in vitro transfer of four lipids from an artificial donor nanoemulsion to HDL were determined at baseline in both groups and after 4 months of euthyroidism in the SCH group. RESULTS: Fractional clearance rates of triglycerides (SCH 0.035 ± 0.016 min⁻¹, controls 0.029 ± 0.013 min⁻¹, p = 0.336) and cholesteryl esters (SCH 0.009 ± 0.007 min⁻¹, controls 0.009 ± 0.009 min⁻¹, p = 0.906) were equal in SCH and controls and were unchanged by LT4 treatment and euthyroidism in patients with SCH, suggesting that lipolysis and remnant removal of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins were normal. Transfer of triglycerides to HDL (SCH 3.6 ± 0.48%, controls 4.7 ± 0.63%, p = 0.001) and phospholipids (SCH 16.2 ± 3.58%, controls 21.2 ± 3.32%, p = 0.004) was reduced when compared with controls. After LT4 treatment, transfers increased and achieved normal values. Transfer of free and esterified cholesterol to HDL, HDL particle size, and paraoxonase 1 activity were similar to controls and were unchanged by treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although intravascular metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins was normal, patients with SCH showed abnormalities in HDL metabolism that were reversed by LT4 treatment and achievement of euthyroidism

Brazil nut ingestion increased plasma selenium but had minimal effects on lipids, apolipoproteins, and high-density lipoprotein function in human subjects.

The Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) of the Amazon region is consumed worldwide. It is rich in both monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids and is known for its high selenium content. This study tested the hypothesis whether the consumption of this nut could affect the plasma lipids and apolipoproteins and some functional properties of the antiatherogenic high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Fifteen normolipidemic subjects aged 27.3 +/- 3.9 years and with body mass index of 23.8 +/- 2.8 kg/m(2) consumed 45 g of Brazil nuts per day during a 15-day period. On days 0 and 15, blood was collected for biochemical analysis, determination of HDL particle size, paraoxonase 1 activity, and lipid transfer from a lipoprotein-like nanoparticle to the HDL fraction. Brazil nut ingestion did not alter HDL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerols, apolipoprotein A-I, or apolipoprotein B concentrations. HDL particle diameter and the activity of antioxidative paraoxonase 1, mostly found in the HDL fraction, were also unaffected. Supplementation increased the reception of cholesteryl esters (P < .05) by the HDL yet did not alter the reception of phospholipids, free cholesterol, or triacylglycerols. As expected, plasma selenium was significantly increased. However, the consumption of Brazil nuts for short duration by normolipidemic subjects in comparable amounts to those tested for other nuts did not alter serum lipid profile. The only alteration in HDL function was the increase in cholesteryl ester transfer. This latter finding may be beneficial because it would improve the nonatherogenic reverse cholesterol transport pathway.