Abnormal activation of sterol synthesis in lymphocytes of atherosclerotic-susceptible pigeons and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemic patients.

ABSTRACT

Delipidated human sera enhances the incorporation of [2-14C]acetate, but not mevalonate, into digitonin-precipitable sterols of pigeon lymphocytes. Show Racer and White Carneau pigeons exhibit inherited differences in induction of sterol synthesis dissociated from inheritance of hypercholesterolemia. Moreover, lymphocytes of three familial hypercholesterolemic individuals, having serum cholesterol level in the normal range by drug therapy, exhibited a higher activation of sterol synthesis by delipidated sera when compared to cells of normal individuals. It is suggested that genetic abnormality in lymphocytes of familial hypercholesterolemic can be dissociated from hypercholesterolemia.