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Biomedical subjects

B Paigen

Publications and source records attributed to B Paigen.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Comparison of atherosclerotic lesions and HDL-lipid levels in male, female, and testosterone-treated female mice from strains C57BL/6, BALB/c, and C3H.

In order to determine whether male and female mice differed in HDL-lipid levels or in atherosclerotic response to a high fat diet, we examined 3 inbred strains which differed in susceptibility to atherosclerosis; C57BL/6, BALB/c, and C3H. Mice were fed normal chow or an atherogenic diet containing 1.25% cholesterol, 15% fat, and 0.5% cholic acid. Lesion number and size were determined after 14 weeks on the diet; plasma HDL-lipid levels were determined at 0 and 4 weeks on the diet. For C3H, the most atherosclerosis-resistant strain, HDL-lipid levels were very high and not affected by sex or diet. For BALB/c, HDL-lipid levels were intermediate between the other two strains. Male levels were significantly higher than the females, and the atherogenic diet caused a drop in HDL-lipid levels of 14-27% depending on sex. For C57BL/6, the most atherosclerosis-susceptible strain, HDL-lipid levels were low compared to the other two strains. Males and females on normal chow did not differ in HDL-lipid, but females showed a 50% decrease in HDL when fed the atherogenic diet. For both BALB/c and C57BL/6, testosterone-treated females resembled the males. The HDL-lipid levels in mice on atherogenic diet differed over a 3-fold range among the nine groups. When HDL-lipid levels were compared to the number of atherosclerotic lesions or the total lesion area, a high degree of correlation was observed (r = -0.95 for lesion number and -0.93 for total lesion area). This suggests that HDL-lipid levels are important in determining atherosclerosis susceptibility in mice.

Animals↗

Ath-1, a gene determining atherosclerosis susceptibility and high density lipoprotein levels in mice.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) is the major plasma lipoprotein found in mice fed normal laboratory chow containing 4% fat. When female mice from some inbred strains, such as C57BL/6, are fed a high fat diet (1.25% cholesterol, 15% fat, and 0.5% cholic acid), the levels of HDL-cholesterol decrease by about 50%, and lipid staining lesions form in the aorta within 14 weeks. In other strains of mice, such as C3H and BALB/c, HDL-lipid levels decrease only slightly, and few or no aortic lesions are observed at 14 weeks. The genetic basis of these phenotypic differences was analyzed by using recombinant inbred strains derived from C57BL/6 and BALB/c and also from C57BL/6 and C3H/He. The two phenotypes segregated as simple Mendelian traits, and no recombination was observed between them. Thus, HDL-cholesterol levels and susceptibility to atherosclerosis appear to be determined by the same gene (or by two closely linked genetic factors that are a maximum of 1.7 centimorgans apart). This gene was named Ath-1, for atherosclerosis susceptibility, with alleles r for resistance and s for susceptibility. Ath-1 maps on chromosome 1 near Alp-2, a gene that determines the structure of apolipoprotein A-II, one of the two major proteins found in HDL. Ath-1 is clearly separable from Alp-2, and the distance between these genes is 6.0 centimorgans with a standard error of 4.2 centimorgans. In humans, levels of HDL are inherited and are inversely correlated with atherosclerosis; familial hyperalphalipoproteinemia is associated with high levels of HDL-cholesterol and decreased risk of heart disease. The human trait phenotypically resembles Ath-1 in the mouse.

Animals↗

Effect of 3-methylcholanthrene on atherosclerosis in two congenic strains of mice with different susceptibilities to methylcholanthrene-induced tumors.

Inbred mouse strains AKXL-38 and AKXL-38a are congenic strains that differ at the Ah locus, a gene which affects the inducibility of the cytochrome P-450 enzymes. The Ah-responsive strain, AKXL-38a, is more susceptible to 3-methylcholanthrene-induced tumors than the Ah-nonresponsive strain, AKXL-38. We previously reported that 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) increased the number and the size of atherosclerotic lesions in a dose-dependent fashion. We now demonstrate that the effect of MC is greater in Ah-responsive mice than in Ah-nonresponsive mice indicating that Ah-responsive mice not only are more susceptible to MC-induced cancer but also are more susceptible to MC-enhanced atherosclerosis. Mice that received atherogenic diet for 14 weeks but no MC had 1.3-1.4 lesions/mouse regardless of genetic type. When mice were treated with MC, the number of lesions increased to 2.1 +/- 0.1 (SE) in Ah-nonresponsive mice, 2.6 +/- 0.2 in Ah-responsive mice, and 2.3 +/- 0.2 in the F1 hybrid. The total area involved in lesions was 9.3-12.6 micron2 in untreated animals. When mice were treated with MC, the total lesion area increased to 23.5 +/- 5.2 micron2 in Ah-nonresponsive mice, to 43.9 +/- 6.6 micron2 in Ah-responsive mice, and to 36.2 +/- 4.8 micron2 in F1 hybrids. Thus MC increased the lesion area in both strains of mice, but the increase was significantly greater in Ah-responsive than in Ah-nonresponsive animals. High density lipoprotein levels were not significantly affected by MC treatment or Ah genotype. In order to determine whether the increased susceptibility to MC-induced atherosclerosis segregated with the Ah gene, AKXL-38 and AKXL-38a mice were mated and the F1 progeny were backcrossed to the Ah-nonresponsive parent. Backcross progeny were tested for Ah genotype by zoxazolamine sleeping time. Measurements of lesions showed that increased susceptibility to MC-enhanced atherosclerosis segregated with the Ah locus.

Animals↗

Variation in susceptibility to atherosclerosis among inbred strains of mice.

Ten inbred strains of mice were fed an atherogenic diet containing 1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid and 15% fat. The strains were examined for plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels and for formation of lipid-containing lesions in the aortic wall. The strains differed considerably in the frequency of lesion formation after 14 weeks on the atherogenic diet with a range of 0-1.8 lesions/mouse. The order of susceptibility to lesion formation from the least susceptible to the most susceptible was BALB/cJ, C3H/J, A/J, SWR/J, NZB/J, less than 129/J, AKR/J, DBA/2J, less than C57L/J less than C57BL/6J. Total plasma cholesterol after 5 weeks on the diet varied from 131 mg/dl to 328 mg/dl among strains; however, there was little correlation between total cholesterol levels and susceptibility to lesion formation (r = 0.29). Plasma triglycerides after 5 weeks on the diet varied less than cholesterol with a range of 137-220 mg/dl. An analysis of the genetic differences among inbred strains of mice might provide useful insights into lipid metabolism and the development of atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

Effect of 3-methylcholanthrene on the development of aortic lesions in mice.

The effect of a carcinogen, 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), on the formation and growth of atherosclerotic lesions in mice was examined. Increasing doses of 3-MC from 15 to 1500 micrograms/kg increased the number and size of lipid-staining lesions in the aorta of AKXL-38a mice that were fed an atherogenic diet for 8 weeks. The number of lesions per mouse was 0.85 +/- 0.19 (SE) for animals treated with 3-MC (150 micrograms/kg) compared to 0.10 +/- 0.10 lesions/mouse for animals given solvent rather than 3-MC. The progression of lesions over time from 5 to 18 weeks showed that 3-MC-treated mice also differed from controls in the size of lesions. The total score per mouse at 18 weeks of atherogenic diet, based on the number of lesions and the size of each lesion, indicated by a score of 1 to 4, was 4.31 +/- 0.71 for 3-MC-treated animals and 2.67 +/- 0.74 for animals given solvent. The effect of 3-MC treatment could be observed at 18 weeks even though the entire dose of 3-MC was given during the first week on the atherogenic diet. These experiments do not distinguish whether 3-MC affects atherosclerotic lesions by acting as a mutagen or by some other mechanism. The composition of an atherogenic diet that produces lesions in mice without high mortality is given as well as a comparison of different methods of evaluating lesion formation.

Animals↗

Urinary glucuronidase and arylsulfatases in identical twins of bladder cancer patients.

Studies showing that bladder cancer patients have unusually high levels of urinary beta-glucuronidase and arylsulfatases A and B led to the suggestion that these urinary enzymes may participate in bladder cancer etiology. An alternative explanation of the high levels of these urinary enzymes in bladder cancer patients is that the disease itself causes the elevation. Since the levels of these enzymes are genetically determined, measuring these enzymes in healthy identical twins of bladder cancer patients can test whether high enzyme levels occurred prior to bladder cancer. Five healthy identical cotwins of bladder cancer patients, together with matched controls, were measured for urinary beta-glucuronidase, arylsulfatases A and B, and two other lysosomal enzymes as controls, alpha- and beta-galactosidases. The mean levels of all five enzymes were not very different in the cotwins and controls, suggesting that high levels of urinary enzymes observed in bladder cancer patients are a consequence of disease rather than occurring prior to disease and contributing to its etiology.

Cerebroside-Sulfatase↗

Role of urinary beta-glucuronidase in human bladder cancer.

It has been suggested that high levels of urinary beta-glucuronidase may increase an individual's risk of bladder cancer by releasing free carcinogens from their inactive glucuronide conjugates in the bladder. The hypothesis derives in part from the high levels of urinary beta-glucuronidase observed in bladder cancer patients. Because most of the individual variation in levels of urinary beta-glucuronidase and other lysosomal enzymes in the normal population is genetically determined, we would expect that, if high glucuronidase levels were a predisposing factor in the disease, bladder cancer patients would transmit this trait to their progeny. We have tested this hypothesis and find that levels of urinary beta-glucuronidase and three other lysosomal enzymes, alpha-galactosidase, beta-galactosidase, and beta-hexosaminidase, are not significantly elevated in 34 progeny of bladder cancer patients compared to 34 matched controls. Additionally, 15 bladder cancer patients judged to be disease free for a median time of 5 years did not have elevated levels of urinary beta-glucuronidase when compared to a normal population of 125 individuals. Thus, the high levels of glucuronidase observed in bladder cancer patients are most likely a consequence of disease rather than a cause.

Adult↗

Absence of seasonal variation in antipyrine metabolism.

The induced activity of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), measured by the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene to fluorescent products in cultured human lymphocytes, shows a strong seasonal variation. The in vivo metabolism of antipyrine, which is also catalyzed by microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases, has been reported to be correlated with AHH inducibility in human lymphocytes. To determine whether antipyrine metabolism also showed seasonal changes, we measured antipyrine half-life (t 1/2) in 10 nonsmokers and eight smokers at the two times of the year that correspond to the high and low peaks of inducible AHH activity as measured in lymphocytes. The mean antipyrine t 1/2 determined in all 18 subjects in summer was almost identical to that found in winter (mean +/- SEM = 10.90 +/- 0.65 and 10.96 +/- 0.78 hr). AHH activity in cultured human lymphocytes from the nonsmoking subjects was determined in control and 3-methylcholanthrene-induced cells to obtained inducibility ratios of 4.2 +/- 0.56 (SEM) in the summer and 1.4 +/- 0.14 (SEM) in winter. These results indicate that the seasonal variation in AHH inducibility in human lymphocytes is not reflected by a corresponding seasonal variation in antipyrine metabolism in vivo.

Adult↗

Arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase activity and cytochrome P-450 in human tissues.

The stability and distribution of arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in four human tissues has been examined. Two tissues, liver and lung, were obtained from autopsy samples while lymphocytes and placenta were obtained from cell lines and donors. Marked differences in arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase activity were observed between tissues and individuals, with liver being the richest source. Activity in all tissues was stable at 4 degrees C for 24 h, but freeze-thawing markedly reduced hydroxylase activity in liver. Using gel exclusion chromatography, the molecular weight of a non-dissociated form of arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase was estimated to be about 400000. A heme staining band corresponding to a molecular weight of 50000 was observed after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of liver microsomal preparations. This appears to be a cytochrome P-450 subunit based on correlations between staining intensity and hydroxylase activity in tissues and partially purified preparations examined.

Aged↗

Seasonal variation of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in human lymphocytes.

A seasonal variation was observed when aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity was measured in the cultured lymphocytes of 977 donors over a period of 2 1/2 years. The variation was strongest in AHH activity induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and was less apparent for AHH activity in lymphocytes grown without any inducer. The period of the seasonal variation is 1 year, and maximal induced AHH activity occurs during late summer and early fall with minimal activity 6 months later. Based on the average of all individuals tested during the highest and lowest weeks, induced AHH activity can be as much as 10-fold higher during the peak season. It is not possible to tell from these experiments whether the seasonal variation is tissue specific, occurring only in lymphocytes, or characteristic of microsomal oxidases in other tissues as well.

Adolescent↗

High-pressure liquid chromatographic analysis of benzo(a)pyrene metabolism by human lymphocytes from donors of different aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase inducibility and antipyrine half-lives.

With high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), lymphocytes from six human donors were evaluated for their ability to metabolize benzo(a)pyrene (BP). Donors whose aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) inducibility ratios ranged from 2.4 to 4.6 and whose antipyrine plasma half-lives ranged from 8 to 17 hr were examined. The BP metabolites identified were: 7,8-dihydrodiol, quinones, and 9-hydroxy and 3-hydroxy phenols. HPLC profiles of BP metabolites elaborated by uninduced (control) and benz(a)anthracene-induced lymphocytes were qualitatively similar among the six donors. A good correlation (r = 0.79) was found between known AHH inducibility ratios for the donors, as determined by the conventional fluorometric AHH assay, and induction of BP phenol production quantitated from HPLC data. HPLC results also indicated that the induction of benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol, the proposed proximate carcinogenic form of BP, did not parallel BP phenol induction. Furthermore, the data also indicated a good negative correlation between AHH inducibility and the measurements of plasma antipyrine or urinary 4-hydroxyantipyrine half-lives (r = -0.88 or -0.91), respectively.

Antipyrine↗

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase inducibility is not altered in bladder cancer patients or their progeny.

We investigated the possible influence of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) on susceptibility to bladder cancer in humans. AHH inducibility was measured in the cultured lymphocytes of 16 patients who were being followed after successful treatment for bladder cancer, in 53 progeny of bladder cancer patients, and in matched controls. In both the progeny and patient populations, no evidence was found for a difference between the distribution of AHH inducibility or induced AHH activity compared to the distribution among control individuals. Thus, AHH acitivity or inducibility does not appear to be a major determinant of bladder cancer risk in humans.

Adult↗