Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (apo E) deficiency (or its abnormalities in humans) is associated with a series of pathological conditions including dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and shorter life span. The purpose of this study was to characterize these conditions in apo E-deficient C57BL/6J mice and relate them to human disorders. Deletion of apo E gene in mice is associated with changes in lipoprotein metabolism [plasma total cholesterol (TC) (>+400%), HDL cholesterol (-80%), HDL/TC, and HDL/LDL ratios (-93% and -96%, respectively), esterification rate in apo B-depleted plasma (+100%), plasma triglyceride (+200%), hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity (-50%), hepatic cholesterol content (+30%)], decreased plasma homocyst(e)ine and glucose levels, and severe atherosclerosis and cutaneous xanthomatosis. Hepatic and lipoprotein lipase activities, hepatic LDL receptor function, and organ antioxidant capacity remain unchanged. Several histological/immunohistological stainings failed to detect potential markers for neurodegenerative disease in the brain of 37-wk-old male apo E-KO mice. Apo E-KO mice may have normal growth and development, but advanced atherosclerosis and xanthomatosis may indirectly reduce their life span. Apo E plays a crucial role in regulation of lipid metabolism and atherogenesis without affecting lipase activities, endogenous antioxidant capacity, or appearance of neurodegenerative markers in 37-wk-old male mice.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2623-2630 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | FASEB Journal |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 14 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 22 2001 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Antioxidants
- Apo E
- Atherosclerosis
- Brain
- Lipids
- Xanthomatosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology