Plasma lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity and plasma lipoprotein composition and concentrations in kwashiorkor

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effect of Ajuga iva (Ai) on enzymes involved in the metabolism of cholesterol, in rat fed a cholesterol-enriched diet. Design/methodology/approach Male Wistar rats (n = 12), weighing 120 ± 5 g were fed on 1 per cent cholesterol-enriched diet [hypercholesterolemic (HC)] for 15 days (d15). After this adaptation phase, HC rats (total cholesterol = 6.5 ± 0.6 mmol/L) were divided into two groups fed the same diet and treated (Ai-HC) or not with (HC) with Ai for d15. Findings At day 15, in Ai-HC group compared to HC, serum triacylglycerol (TG) values were 1.4-fold lower (p = 0.002), whereas unesterified cholesterol (UC) contents were 1.8-fold higher (p = 0.0001). Serum phospholipids (PL) and cholesteryl esters (CE) contents and liver TG, UC, PL and CE values were not sensitive to Ai. TC/HDL-C and LDL-HDL1-C/HDL-C ratios were, respectively, 1.8- and 4-fold lower (p = 0.006 and p = 0.04). HDL2-C and HDL3-C amounts were enhanced by 40 and 74 per cent, respectively (p = 0.003 and p = 0.0001). HDL3-UC was 1.6-fold higher (p = 0.006); whereas PL contents were 1.4-fold lower (p = 0.003). HDL3-apo and HDL2-CE contents were similar between groups. A decreased of hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activities (−44 and −25 per cent; p = 0.003 and p = 0.02, respectively) were noted. Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity was 1.5-fold higher (p = 0.001). Originality/value In HC rat, Ai is able to induce hypotriglyceridemia. However, it turns out that Ai may reduce cardiovascular risk by decreasing the reports of atherogenicity and modifying the activities of enzymes involved in the cholesterol metabolism.

Download Full-text

The association between lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase activity and fatty liver index

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry International Journal of Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.1177/0004563219853596 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 56 (5) ◽

pp. 583-592 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jelena Janac ◽

Aleksandra Zeljkovic ◽

Zorana Jelic-Ivanovic ◽

Vesna Dimitrijevic-Sreckovic ◽

Milica Miljkovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Density Lipoprotein ◽

Fatty Liver ◽

Cholesterol Acyltransferase ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

High Density ◽

Paraoxonase 1 ◽

Acyltransferase Activity ◽

Lecithin Cholesterol Acyltransferase ◽

Liver Index ◽

Fatty Liver Index

Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a frequent ailment with known complications, including those within the cardiovascular system. Associations between several indicators of high-density lipoprotein metabolism and function with clinical and laboratory parameters for the assessment of fatty liver index, a surrogate marker of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, were evaluated. Methods The study comprised 130 patients classified according to fatty liver index values: fatty liver index < 30, fatty liver index 30–59 (the intermediate group) and fatty liver index ⩾ 60. Lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase and cholesteryl ester transfer protein activities were determined. Paraoxonase 1 concentration and its activity, paraoxonase 3 concentration and high-density lipoprotein subclass distribution were assessed. Results Increased lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase activity correlated with increased fatty liver index ( P < 0.001). Paraoxonase 3 concentration was lower in the fatty liver index ⩾ 60 group compared with the fatty liver index < 30 group ( P < 0.05). Cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity, paraoxonase 1 concentration and its activity did not significantly differ across the fatty liver index groups. The relative proportion of small-sized high-density lipoprotein 3 subclass was higher in the fatty liver index ⩾ 60 group compared with the other two fatty liver index groups ( P < 0.01). Lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase activity positively associated with the fatty liver index ⩾ 60 group and remained significant after adjustment for other potential confounders. Only the triglyceride concentration remained significantly associated with lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase activity when the parameters that constitute the fatty liver index equation were examined. Conclusions Higher lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase activity is associated with elevated fatty liver index values. Significant independent association between triglycerides and lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase activity might indicate a role of hypertriglyceridaemia in alterations of lecithin–cholesterol acyltransferase activity in individuals with elevated fatty liver index.

Download Full-text