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Biomedical subjects

H Lafont

Publications and source records attributed to H Lafont.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Influence of lipid-rich diets on intestinal cholesterol uptake.

The purpose of this work was to determine whether or not cholesterol transport by intestinal brush border is influenced by fat-enriched diets and therefore plays a role in the regulation of cholesterol absorption. This study was carried out on rats divided into three groups according to diet: (1) control with a diet containing 1.2% cholesterol (diet T), (2) diet T plus 28% saturated fat (lard) and (3) diet T plus 28% polyunsaturated fat (corn oil). Uptake of cholesterol and oleic acid from defined mixed micellar solutions was studied on two experimental models: everted sacs and brush border vesicles of the intestinal membrane. In vivo cholesterol absorption was measured by the dual isotope plasma ratio method of Zilversmit. Fat-enriched diets decreased both in vivo cholesterol absorption and in vitro cholesterol uptake without any specific effect of unsaturated fats. This suggests that the mechanisms involved in the transport of cholesterol across the brush border membrane may be rate-limiting for cholesterol absorption. Oleate and butyrate uptakes, in contrast, were unaffected by the fat content of the diet.

Animals↗

Metabolism of low- and high-density-lipoprotein-free cholesterol in rats fed high-fat diets.

The regulating process of cholesterol in the liver was studied in relation to its exogenous contribution in the rats fed high-fat (28%) high-cholesterol (1.2%) diets rich in saturated (S) fat (lard) or polyunsaturated (PU) fat (corn oil). Accordingly, the fate of 14C free cholesterol originating from high- or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) was examined in the biliary, hepatic and plasmatic lipids, as well as the activity of two key enzymes in the metabolism of lipoproteins: lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT). The LPL activity increased in the S diet, in comparison to the PU diet or to a low fat (6%) control (C) diet and the LCAT activity increased but not significantly in the PU diet. In bile the secretion of 14C-cholesterol and 14C-bile salts originating from 14C-cholesterol-HDL increased in the S diet compared to the PU diet and a C diet [previous results]. S and PU diets increased to the same extent the hepatic storage of 14C-esterified cholesterol originating from LDL, compared to the C diet. This cholesterol would contribute to a greater extent to the hepatic synthesis of the lipoproteins destined for the plasma in the case of the S diet than that of PU diet. These results may be explained by the adaptation of hepatic acyl cholesterol acyl transferase and cholesterolesterase to both high-fat-diet enzymes acting simultaneously on the two free and esterified cholesterol compartments. It resulted in an important redistribution of the cholesterol of these two compartments between plasma, bile and liver.

Animals↗

Identification and localization of the apoprotein fraction of the bile lipoprotein complex in human gallstones.

The anionic polypeptidic fraction is the protein constituent of the bile lipoprotein complex. Double immunodiffusion and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis studies show that the anionic polypeptidic fraction is present in human gallstones. In terms of weight percentage, this protein accounts for 0.1% +/- 0.087 (n = 6) of the total weight of gallstones. Immunolocalization studies confirm the presence of the anionic polypeptidic fraction in human gallstones and suggest that this protein is preferentially associated with pigmented layers in gallstones. A speculative role for the anionic polypeptidic fraction in cholesterol nucleation is discussed.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of bile anionic polypeptidic fraction on the fate of cholesterol carried by liposomes in the rat.

[14C]Cholesterol associated with liposomes with or without anionic polypeptidic fraction was administered intravenously to the rat. The cholesterol originated from liposomes including anionic polypeptidic fraction is secreted in bile much later, is stored in liver in higher quantity, and is metabolized into bile salts in lesser quantity during the 4 hr of experimentation than the cholesterol issued from liposomes exempt of anionic polypeptidic fraction. From these results it can be postulated that the cholesterol associated with liposomes containing anionic polypeptidic fraction might be directed in a particular liver pathway.

Animals↗

Subcellular localization of cholesterol ester hydrolase in the human intestine.

Immunocytochemistry and subcellular fractionation were used to localize the cholesterol ester hydrolase in the human small intestine. A positive immunoreaction, when using antibodies directed against pancreatic cholesterol ester hydrolase, was mainly found in endocytotic vesicles. Moreover, a label by gold particles was observed in intercellular spaces where lymphatic tissue merges. No specific immunoreactivity was obtained with the mucosa when sera directed against human pancreatic chymotrypsinogen and human pancreatic lipase were used. Conventional subcellular fractionation was performed after extensive washing of enterocytes to rule out any possible contamination by pancreatic enzymes. In these conditions a bile salt-dependent cholesterol ester hydrolase activity was detected in the soluble fraction of cells. Data agree with the concept that the intestinal cholesterol ester hydrolase may have a pancreatic origin. The absorption, if any, of this enzyme by enterocytes seems specific since other pancreatic (pro)enzymes tested (lipase, chymotrypsinogen) are not detected in these cells.

Adult↗

Yield and content in nitrates, minerals and ascorbic acid of leeks and turnips grown under mineral or organic nitrogen fertilizations.

The influence of mineral NPK fertilizers and organic fertilizers such as manure compost, woodchip compost and blood meal on the yields and the nutritive value of leeks and turnips were compared. Fertilizers were applied on the two crops grown successively in 200-1 containers. Mineral fertilizers, manure compost and blood meal provided equivalent vegetable yields. Contents in dry matter, ascorbic acid and minerals of leeks and turnips were not strongly affected by the different fertilization regimes. The nitrate content of both crops was significantly lower under the application of manure compost and woodchip compost, while mineral fertilizers and blood meal induced similar, higher nitrate levels. The present work thus provides new data showing the usefulness of composts in growing vegetables with low nitrate contents.

Agriculture↗

Bile lipid secretion in isolated perfused rat liver. A model for metabolic studies.

Isolated perfused rat liver was used to study the effects of constant taurocholate perfusion, with or without the addition of phosphatidylcholine unilamellar vesicles, upon both the bile salt-dependent and bile salt-independent secretion of bile. Taurocholate introduction increased bile flow and normalized the bile lipid secretion by restoring the bile salt-dependent secretion. At a flow rate of 30 ml/min, the liver was perfused by a single-pass method. The perfusion medium contained 17.5 microM taurocholate with or without 5.83 microM phosphatidylcholine. In light of a recent quantitative dynamic concept on the interphase partition of lipids, it was calculated that more than 99% of the taurocholate reaches the liver as monomers and/or dimers. It was also deduced that the lipids were secreted in bile as small discoidal lipoprotein structures rather than unilamellar lipoproteic vesicles. During the course of the experiments (2 hr), the excellent criteria of viability of this model make it highly suitable for the investigation of hepatic metabolism. Furthermore, the addition of phosphatidylcholine unilamellar vesicles to the perfusate constitutes a potential vector for various liposoluble molecular species.

Animals↗

Effect of dietary lipids on the lipid composition and phospholipid deacylating enzyme activities of rat heart.

Rats were fed lard-enriched (17%) or corn oil-enriched (17%) diets and were compared with rats fed a low fat (4.5%) diet. Cardiac protein, DNA, phospholipid (PL) and fatty acid (FA) compositions were analyzed. Neutral phospholipase A, lysophospholipase and creatine kinase activities in the membrane and cytosolic compartments were also investigated. No significant modification of cardiac protein, DNA nor PL was observed among the three groups. Some alterations appeared in the FA composition. A lard-enriched diet induced a significant increase of 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 in heart phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), whereas a linoleic acid-rich diet induced a specific increase of 22:4n-6 and 22:5n-6 in these two major PL. Compared to rats fed the low fat diet, membrane-associated phospholipase A activity, measured by endogenous hydrolysis of membrane PC and PE, showed a significant increase (+45%) for both PL in rats fed corn oil. However, the activity of membrane-associated phospholipases, measured with exogenous [1-14C]dioleoyl PC, was not different among the three groups of rats. Cytoplasmic activity was decreased in rats fed corn oil, and lysophospholipase and creatine phosphate kinase activities were not significantly affected by diet. FA modification of the long chain n-6 FA induced by corn oil may be responsible for the observed increase in phospholipase activity. Physiological implications are suggested in terms of membrane degradation and prostaglandin production.

Animals↗

Phospholipase A2 activity of rat stomach.

Phospholipase A activity in rat stomach wall and in gastric content was studied using [1-14C]dioleoylphosphatidylcholine as substrate. The optimum activity of the stomach wall was found to take place at pH 7.0. During optimal phospholipase action about 40% of the [1-14C]oleic acid released was due to an active intracellular lysophospholipase. The gastric phospholipase required 5 mM Ca2+ for full activity and is inhibited by EDTA. It specifically hydrolyzed the sn-2 position of the phospholipid molecule. The enzyme was heat labile and inactivated by acidification at pH 3.0. The gastric content enzyme had a lower specific activity and an optimum pH of 8.0. It was heat stable and was not inactivated by acidification. These results indicate that gastric content phospholipase A is of pancreatic origin, via a duodenal reflux. By ligating the stomach we were able to further confirm that the gastric wall phospholipase was different from that of the gastric content. It originated from the stomach mucosa. Subcellular fractionation suggests that the gastric phospholipase A2 is essentially bound to the plasma membrane. About 6% of the activity was found to be soluble. Biopsies of human gastric mucosa displayed a phospholipase A activity which had similar properties to that of rat gastric enzyme. The physiological function of this enzyme is discussed in terms of prostaglandin synthesis via the release of arachidonic acid.

Animals↗

Lipid biodynamics: new perspectives [published errtum appears in Biochimie 1987 May;69(5):558].

Active biological systems can be divided into five phases: the aqueous polar phase, the monolayer and/or bilayer interfacial phase, the apolar or hydrophobic phase, the solid or insoluble phase and the gaseous phase. The micellar phase is a special dispersed state of an interfacial phase. Molecules are distributed among these five phases according to their physicochemical properties. Herein is proposed a standardization in strict compliance with the CGS (cm, g, s) unit system and uses the mass/volume, mole per cm3 (mol X cm-3) chemical unit. This standardization requires a new set of symbols to clearly distinguish the concentrations in the different phases. The numerous implications of this standardization are discussed with respect to the quantitative classification of lipids based upon interphase partition coefficients, a new definition of micelles, simple models for the study of lipid biodynamic behavior and sites of action of lipid metabolism enzymes as well as determination of the physicochemical parameters of circulating lipoproteins. By compartmentalization in an aqueous polar phase, an interfacial phase comprising phospholipids and free cholesterol and an apolar phase comprising triglycerides and esterified cholesterol, this standardization will greatly simplify quantitative research on the factors regulating and disturbing cholesterol homeostasis. The notion of total cholesterol must be foresaken, since the biodynamic behavior of free cholesterol and esterified cholesterol are fundamentally different. Free cholesterol shares the fate of the interfacial phase of which it is a part, this fate being hinged on enzymatic biotransformations and/or ligand--receptor interactions. The proposed standardization gives rise to a new rationale using simple calculations and its advantage will be 2-fold: first, in the design of experimental protocols; and second, in allowing immediate and unambiguous comparison of experimental data based upon strictly defined parameters.

Animals↗

Intracellular phospholipase activity in rat heart: comparison between endogenous and exogenous substrates.

Two methods were used to estimate the intracellular phospholipase activity in rat heart: one using exogenous radioactive substrate dispersed as unilamellar vesicles; the other using endogenous membrane hydrolysis and subsequent phospholipid and lysophospholipid separation by high-performance liquid chromatography and quantification by phosphorus determination. We found that the endogenous method provided a higher hydrolysis rate than the exogenous method and that phosphatidyl ethanolamine was a better substrate than phosphatidyl choline.

Animals↗

Effect of pectin, wheat bran and cellulose on serum lipids and lipoproteins in rats fed on a low- or high-fat diet.

1. Four groups of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 6 weeks on a diet with a low-fat content (50 g/kg) and another four groups were given a diet rich in fat (250 g/kg) and cholesterol (12 g/kg). In both cases, the basal diets were either fibre-depleted or supplemented with cellulose (60 g/kg), wheat bran (100 g/kg) or low-methoxyl pectin (100 g/kg). 2. Low-methoxyl pectin displayed the most hypocholesterolaemic effect and decreased the cholesterol content of the very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), when the low-fat diet was given. When rats were fed on the high-fat diet, pectin no longer had a hypocholesterolaemic effect but still decreased the VLDL-cholesterol content. Pectin lowered serum triglyceride and VLDL-triglyceride levels only when the low-fat diet was given. 3. Wheat bran exerted no hypocholesterolaemic effect in rats fed on the low- and high-fat diets, but decreased the cholesterol content of VLDL and lowered serum triglycerides and VLDL-triglycerides when the high-fat diet was given. 4. Purified cellulose had no significant effect on plasma lipids. 5. As shown by multivariance analysis, low-methoxyl pectin and wheat bran both beneficially modified the serum triglyceride and cholesterol variables except VLDL-triglycerides. However, the magnitude of the effect of each individual type of fibre was dependent on the fat and cholesterol content of the diet, suggesting the existence of different mechanisms of action.

Animals↗

Beneficial effect of wheat germ on circulating lipoproteins and tissue lipids in rats fed a high fat, cholesterol-containing diet.

Adult male rats were fed for 7 wk either a low fat diet (3% fat) or a high fat-cholesterol diet (20% fat, 0.5% cholesterol) containing 7% wheat germ or not. Body weights and food intakes were unchanged by adding wheat germ to the control low fat or high fat diets. Adding wheat germ to the high fat-cholesterol diet significantly increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and the HDL-serum cholesterol ratio and lowered the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglycerides. Thus the lipoprotein pattern was comparable to that obtained with the low fat diet, but the VLDL lipid composition remained altered. At the same time, triglyceride and cholesterol accumulation in the liver and the triglyceride content in skin were significantly decreased. When wheat germ was added to the low fat diet, cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly modified. No adaptative change in lipase and colipase contents was observed in the pancreas of rats fed the wheat germ-supplemented diets, whereas the high fat diet increased these values. The results show a beneficial effect of wheat germ added to a high fat-cholesterol diet on the lipid status of rats; the implicated mechanisms are yet to be elucidated.

Animals↗

Combined effects of chlorpromazine and high fat diet on lipid levels and enzyme activities in bile, liver and plasma of Wistar rats.

The effects of high fat diet and injection of chlorpromazine on bile lipid secretion were studied in the rats fed a control diet (C), a saturated fat, high cholesterol diet (S) and a polyunsaturated fat, high cholesterol diet (PU). As compared to controls, injection of chlorpromazine in the S and PU diet groups caused no appreciable change in the level of bile salts and bile phospholipids. Chlorpromazine did however enhance bile cholesterol, especially in the PU group, and lower secretion of lysosomal enzyme (beta-glucuronidase) into bile. Impairment of lysosomal enzyme secretion but not of bile lipid secretion suggests that the lysosomal activity is not directly involved in the bile secretion mechanism. These data point up the risks of using chlorpromazine therapy in association with a diet high in fat and cholesterol.

Animals↗

Partial characterization of rat heart cytosolic phospholipase A1 and demonstration of essential sulfhydryl groups.

The cytosol of rat heart has been previously shown to contain phospholipase A activity in substantial amounts. This paper describes the isolation and partial purification of rat heart cytosolic phospholipase A. After homogenization of rat heart followed by centrifugation to remove membraneous material, the phospholipase A activity was isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation and further purified by gel permeation chromatography with Sephadex G-100 in the presence of 5 mM taurodeoxycholate. Two peaks were isolated: a minor peak at the void volume and major peak corresponding to a molecular weight of 45,000. The molecular weight observed in HPLC gel permeation chromatography experiments was also Mr 45,000 and was not significantly affected by the nature of the detergent used. Phospholipase A was purified 77-fold over the crude cytosol. Further purification could not be attained due to lability of the phospholipase A activity. The enzyme is a phospholipase of the A1 type which does not require Ca2+ and lacks lipase or transacylase activity. It is unusual for the phospholipases A described to date, since it is inhibited by thiol reagents and is protected by beta-mercaptoethanol, suggesting the presence of essential sulfhydryl residues.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemical localization of pancreatic carboxylic ester hydrolase in human paneth cells.

The protein-A gold method using specific rabbit sera directed against pure human pancreatic chymotrypsinogen and carboxylic ester hydrolase was applied to locate these (pro)enzymes in human pancreatic acinar cells and intestinal Paneth cells. Quantitative evaluation of the labelling indicated that both (pro)enzymes are present in pancreatic acinar secretory granules. In Paneth cell secretory granules, only carboxylic ester hydrolase was present in significant amounts, although the labelling for this enzyme was less intense than that observed in pancreatic zymogen granules. The results obtained support the view that Paneth cells represent a "diffuse exocrine gland" scattered along the intestine, whose role is either to act as a substitute in the event of a deficient pancreas or to regulate the intestinal flora.

Carboxylesterase↗