Diet-induced lipid accumulation in phospholipid transfer protein-deficient mice: its atherogenicity and potential mechanism

J Lipid Res. 2010 Oct;51(10):2993-3002. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M007088. Epub 2010 Jun 11.

Abstract

A high saturated fat diet induces free cholesterol and phospholipid accumulation in the plasma of phospholipid transfer protein (Pltp)-deficient mice. In this study, we examined the atherogenic consequence of this phenomenon and investigated the possible mechanism(s). Pltp KO/Apoe KO mice that were fed a coconut oil-enriched high-fat diet (COD) for 7 weeks had higher plasma free cholesterol (149%), phospholipids (15%), and sphingomyelin (54%) than Apoe KO controls. In contrast to chow-fed animals, COD-fed Pltp KO/Apoe KO mice had the same atherosclerotic lesion size as that of Apoe KO mice. Similar to Pltp KO mice, plasma from COD-fed Pltp KO/Apoe KO mice contained VLDL/LDL-sized lamellar particles. Bile measurement indicated that COD-fed Pltp KO mice have 33% less hepatic cholesterol output than controls. In conclusion, COD-fed, Pltp-deficient mice are no longer protected from atherosclerosis and have impaired biliary lipid secretion, which is associated with free cholesterol and phospholipid accumulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / blood
  • Atherosclerosis / etiology
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism*
  • Cholesterol / blood*
  • Diet
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins / deficiency
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins / genetics*
  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins / metabolism
  • Phospholipids / blood*

Substances

  • Phospholipid Transfer Proteins
  • Phospholipids
  • phospholipid transfer protein, mouse
  • Cholesterol