Christopher M. Chambers

Effects of l-Triiodothyronine and the Thyromimetic L-94901 on Serum Lipoprotein Levels and Hepatic Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor, 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase, and Apo A-I Gene Expression

The mechanisms by which thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine (T3)) and a thyromimetic, 2-amino-3-(3,5-dibromo-4-[4-hydroxy-3-(6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridazin -3-ylmethyl)-phenoxyl]-phenyl)propionic acid (L-94901), lower plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and raise plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels was investigated in thyroidectomized and sham-operated rats. Thyroidectomy resulted in a 77% increase in plasma LDL cholesterol, a 60% decrease in plasma triglycerides, and a modest reduction in HDL cholesterol. Daily oral dosing with T3 (10-170 nmol/kg) or L94901 (100-1000 nmol/kg) for 7 days decreased plasma LDL cholesterol in thyroidectomized rats by 60-80%, respectively. This reduction in LDL cholesterol was accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in HDL cholesterol levels of up to 60%. Thus, the ratio of LDL to HDL was decreased from 1.01 to 0.12 after treatment with L-94901 and to 0.25 after dosing with T3. In sham-operated animals, T3 and L-94901 lowered LDL cholesterol by 61 and 46%, respectively, and increased HDL cholesterol by 25 and 53%, respectively. Immunoblotting analysis of liver membranes prepared from thyroidectomized or sham-operated rats demonstrated that LDL receptor protein levels were increased by up to eight-fold. Northern blotting analysis revealed similar large increases in hepatic LDL receptor mRNA levels that accounted for the increases in LDL receptor protein levels. Hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase mRNA, protein, and activity were increased 2- to 3-fold. The T3- and L-94901-mediated increases in serum HDL levels were associated with 2- to 3-fold increases in apo A-I mRNA levels. In contrast with most other hypocholesterolemic agents, T3 and L-94901 significantly increase HDL cholesterol levels in addition to decreasing LDL cholesterol levels due to induction of hepatic apo A-I and LDL receptor gene expression.

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome produced in rats with AY 9944 treated by intravenous injection of lipoprotein cholesterol

A limitation to treating Smith-Lemli-Opitz infants by giving dietary cholesterol is their impaired ability to absorb cholesterol due to a deficiency of bile acids. Since intravenously administered lipoprotein cholesterol should not require bile acids for uptake into tissues, we tested the effects of this form of cholesterol on tissue cholesterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol levels in an animal model of SLO, created by feeding rats 0.02% AY 9944. Intravenous administration of 15 mg of bovine cholesterol supertrate twice daily increased serum cholesterol levels from 11 to over 250 mg/dl. This treatment increased liver cholesterol levels from 309 to over 900 micrograms/g and lowered hepatic 7-dehydrocholesterol levels from 1546 to 909 micrograms/g. A combination of iv cholesterol and 2% dietary cholesterol was most effective as it raised hepatic cholesterol levels to 1950 micrograms/g, which is 50% above normal. 7-Dehydrocholesterol levels were decreased to 760 micrograms/g. Similar responses were seen for heart, lung, kidney, and testes. Brain sterol levels were not significantly affected. AY 9944 caused a modest increase in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity. Administration of dietary cholesterol together with iv cholesterol lowered hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity to barely detectable levels. The data indicate that the combination of iv and dietary cholesterol was most effective in raising cholesterol levels, lowering 7-dehydrocholesterol levels, and inhibiting de novo cholesterol biosynthesis.