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Measurement of spontaneous transfer and transbilayer movement of BODIPY-labeled lipids in lipid vesicles.

An assay was developed to study the spontaneous transfer and transbilayer movement (flip-flop) of lipid analogs labeled with the fluorescent fatty acid, 5-(5,7-dimethyl BODIPY)-1-pentanoic acid (C5-DMB-) in large unilamellar lipid vesicles comprised of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC). The assay is based on the concentration-dependent changes in fluorescence intensity that occur when donor vesicles containing a C5-DMB-lipid are mixed with nonfluorescent acceptor vesicles. A kinetic model was developed to describe the time-dependent changes in concentration of a lipid undergoing both spontaneous transfer between unilamellar vesicles and transbilayer movement within the vesicle membranes, and a mathematical solution was obtained. Data were obtained using C5-DMB-labeled analogs of sphingomyelin (C5-DMB-SM), ceramide (C5-DMB-Cer), phosphatidylcholine (C5-DMB-PC), and diacylglycerol (C5-DMB-DAG), and kinetic parameters for each lipid were determined using a nonlinear least-squares fitting program. The half-times for interbilayer transfer of the lipids were C5-DMB-SM (21 s) < C5-DMB-PC (350 s) approximately C5-DMB-Cer (400 s) << C5-DMB-DAG (100 h). C5-DMB-Cer (t1/2 approximately 22 min) and C5-DMB-DAG (t1/2 approximately 70 ms) exhibited rapid spontaneous transbilayer movement, while C5-DMB-SM (t1/2 approximately 3.3 h) and C5-DMB-PC (t1/2 approximately 7.5 h) moved across the bilayer very slowly. These results provide a basis for interpreting the behavior of these lipid analogs in cells.

Boron Compounds↗

Ability of lipid hydroperoxides to partition into surfactant micelles and alter lipid oxidation rates in emulsions.

Lipid hydroperoxides are important factors in lipid oxidation due to their ability to decompose into free radicals. In oil-in-water emulsions, the physical location of lipid hydroperoxides could impact their ability to interact with prooxidants such as iron. Interfacial tension measurements show that linoleic acid, methyl linoleate, and trilinolein hydroperoxides are more surface-active than their non-peroxidized counterparts. In oil-in-water emulsion containing surfactant (Brij 76) micelles in the continuous phase, linoleic acid, methyl linoleate, and trilinolein hydroperoxides were solubilized out of the lipid droplets into the aqueous phase. Brij 76 solubilization of the different hydroperoxides was in the order of linoleic acid > trilinolein > or = methyl linoleate. Brij 76 micelles inhibited lipid oxidation of corn oil-in-water emulsions with greater inhibition of oxidation occurring in emulsions containing linoleic acid hydroperoxides. Surfactant solubilization of lipid hydroperoxides could be responsible for the ability of surfactant micelles to inhibit lipid oxidation in oil-in-water emulsions.

Alkanes↗

Lipid mixing between lipoplexes and plasma lipoproteins is a major barrier for intravenous transfection mediated by cationic lipids.

It has been previously shown that transfection activity of cationic liposome/DNA lipoplexes delivered systemically is drastically inhibited by lipoproteins (Tandia, B. M., Vandenbranden, M., Wattiez, R., Lakhdar, Z., Ruysschaert, J. M., and Elouahabi, A. (2003) Mol Ther. 8, 264-273). In this work, we have compared the binding/uptake and transfection activities of DOTAP (N-[1-(2,3-dioleoyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride) and diC14-amidine (3-tetradecylamino-N-tert-butyl-N'-tetra-decylpropionamidine)-containing lipoplexes in the presence or absence of purified low density lipoproteins and high density lipoprotein. Binding/uptake of both lipoplexes by the mouse lung endothelial cell line was inhibited to a similar extent in the presence of lipoproteins. In contrast, transfection activity of diC14-amidine-containing lipoplexes was almost completely inhibited (approximately by 95%), whereas approximately 40% transfection activity of DOTAP-containing lipoplexes was preserved in the presence of lipoproteins. Interestingly, the ability of lipoproteins to inhibit the transfection efficiency of lipoplexes was well correlated with their ability to undergo lipid mixing with the cationic lipid bilayer as revealed by fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay. Incubation of lipoplexes with increased doses of lipoproteins resulted in enhanced lipid mixing and reduced transfection activity of the lipoplexes in mouse lung endothelial cells. The role of lipid mixing in transfection was further demonstrated using lipid-mixing inhibitor, lyso-phosphatidylcholine, or activator (dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine). Incorporation of Lyso-PC into diC14-amidine-containing lipoplexes completely abolished their capacity to undergo lipid mixing with lipoproteins and allowed them to reach a high transfection efficiency in the presence of lipoproteins. On the other hand, the incorporation of dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine into DOTAP/DNA lipoplex activated lipid mixing with the lipoproteins and was shown to be detrimental toward the transfection activity of these lipoplexes. Taken together, these results indicate that fusion of lipoplexes with lipoproteins is a limiting factor for in vivo transfection.

Animals↗

Lipid dependence of the channel properties of a colicin E1-lipid toroidal pore.

Colicin E1 belongs to a group of bacteriocins whose cytotoxicity toward Escherichia coli is exerted through formation of ion channels that depolarize the cytoplasmic membrane. The lipid dependence of colicin single-channel conductance demonstrated intimate involvement of lipid in the structure of this channel. The colicin formed "small" conductance 60-picosiemens (pS) channels, with properties similar to those previously characterized, in 1,2-dieicosenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C20) or thinner membranes, whereas it formed a novel "large" conductance 600-pS state in thicker 1,2-dierucoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C22) bilayers. Both channel states were anion-selective and voltage-gated and displayed a requirement for acidic pH. Lipids having negative spontaneous curvature inhibited the formation of both channels but increased the ratio of open 600 pS to 60 pS conductance states. Different diameters of small and large channels, 12 and 16 A, were determined from the dependence of single-channel conductance on the size of nonelectrolyte solute probes. Colicin-induced lipid "flip-flop" and the decrease in anion selectivity of the channel in the presence of negatively charged lipids implied a significant contribution of lipid to the structure of the channel, most readily described as toroidal organization of lipid and protein to form the channel pore.

Colicins↗

[Lipid peroxidation and its connection with the change in composition and antioxidant properties of lipids in comatogenic forms of acute viral hepatitis B].

81 patients of acute viral hepatitis B (AVHB) without symptoms of acute hepatic encephalopathy, 39 AVHB patients with such symptoms and 115 age and sex match healthy controls were biochemically and clinically investigated. Besides usual biochemical analyses, some special parameters such as interrelationship between the patterns of lipid peroxidation (LPO) (conjugated dienes and ketodienes and the lipid antioxidant activity) and alterations in lipid composition (content of total lipids, phospholipids and cholesterol) were studied in blood serum. Concentration of LPO products in patients with mild, moderate and severe AVHB without symptoms of encephalopathy was found to be significantly lower than in controls. Relative content of phospholipids in the total lipid fraction as well as antioxidant activity of lipids were elevated, while relative content of cholesterol and level of lipid oxidation were lowered. Increasing of antioxidant activity and decreasing of LPO products coincides with the severity of disease. Intensification of LPO occurs only in patients with symptoms of acute hepatic encephalopathy (in coma and precoma). High levels of LPO products and low levels of total phospholipids in blood serum were found in these patients. The persistence of a high level of peroxides in AVHB suggests the existence of severe, irreversible lesions. Among the patients a risk for the development of severe outcome was found. We suppose that the parameters of oxidative stress may be useful as early prognostic factor and that antioxidants may be a useful for the optimal therapy of comatogenous state of AVHB.

Antioxidants↗

Use of in vitro lipid digestion data to explain the in vivo performance of triglyceride-based oral lipid formulations of poorly water-soluble drugs: studies with halofantrine.

The relative oral bioavailability (BA) of halofantrine base (Hf) was assessed in male beagle dogs after administration of a medium chain triglyceride (MCT), a long chain triglyceride (LCT), and a blended LCT/MCT lipid solution formulation of Hf (Study 1) and after administration of suspensions of Hf base and Hf. HCl in LCT (Study 2). A series of in vitro lipid digestion experiments were also performed in an attempt to clarify the data obtained. In vitro drug solubilization profiles were markedly dependent on the mass of lipid employed in lipid digestion experiments. At high lipid masses ( approximately 25 mg triglyceride/mL), MCT formulations gave maximal benefit, whereas at low lipid concentrations ( approximately 5 mg triglyceride/mL), LCT formulations provided improved solubilization capacity. The in vitro digestion and solubilization data at lower lipid masses were consistent with the in vivo data where the BA of Hf after oral administration of the LCT solution > LCT/MCT blend > MCT solution. The second BA study showed similar, albeit variable, exposure after oral administration of a suspension of Hf base or Hf. HCl in LCT and this trend was broadly consistent with in vitro results. This study demonstrates the potential utility of in vitro digestion models to assess and rank order the in vivo performance of lipid solution and suspension formulations of poorly water-soluble drugs such as Hf.

Administration, Oral↗

Lipid composition of myelin and protein--lipid complex in a neurological rabbit mutant.

The neurological mutant of the paralytic tremor "pt" rabbit is characterized by a reduced amount of myelin to 25-30% of control with no change in specific activity for 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. The ratio of total lipids to protein was higher in "pt" rabbit myelin than in control by about 20%. Analysis of the lipid composition of "pt" rabbit myelin indicated a significantly lower level of galactolipids (by about 30%) and a higher level of gangliosides compared to control. The percentage composition of phospholipids in "pt" myelin was characterized by a lower proportion of acidic phospholipids (polyphosphoinositides, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine). The protein-lipid complex in "pt" rabbit myelin was decreased by about 10-15% compared to control. The ratio by weight of protein to lipid in myelin was 0.24 and 0.20 in control and "pt" rabbit, respectively, but in protein-lipid complex isolated from myelin it was 1.73 in control and 0.72 in "pt" rabbit. Protein-lipid complex isolated from myelin of "pt" rabbit brain contained about 34% less protein and about 16% less acidic phospholipids but neutral phospholipids were increased by 24%. The lipid abnormalities in "pt" rabbit myelin and in the composition of protein-lipid complex may be responsible for the disturbances of myelin formation and compaction in "pt" rabbit.

Animals↗

Cholesterol-lipid interactions in membranes. The saturation concentration of cholesterol in bilayers of various lipids.

1. The integration of cholesterol in a lipid bilayer can be visualized by changes in the fluorescence properties of the probe N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine (NPN). An increasing cholesterol content in the lipid phase corresponds to decreasing fluorescence intensity of NPN and a short wave shift of the emission spectrum. 2. Equilibrium constants for the partition of NPN between water and the various lipid phases are reported. An increasing cholesterol content in a bilayer decreases the solubility of NPN in the bilayer. 3. The saturation concentration of cholesterol in bilayers of various lipids prepared by ultrasonication is determined using the flourescence probe NPN. The maximal molar ratio of cholesterol : lipid is 2 : 1 for sphingomyelin or egg phosphatidylcholine and 1 : 1 for cerebroside, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, or dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine. 4. The comparison of the maximal molar ratio of cholesterol : lipid with the number of proton donor and proton acceptor sites in the lipid moiety is used for a discussion of the polar interactions of cholesterol within a lipid bilayer.

1-Naphthylamine↗

Physical-chemical behavior of dietary and biliary lipids during intestinal digestion and absorption. 1. Phase behavior and aggregation states of model lipid systems patterned after aqueous duodenal contents of healthy adult human beings.

We developed equilibrium phase diagrams corresponding to aqueous lipid compositions of upper small intestinal contents during lipid digestion and absorption in adult human beings. Ternary lipid systems were composed of a physiological mixture of bile salts (BS), mixed intestinal lipids (MIL), principally partially ionized fatty (oleic) acid (FA) plus racemic monooleylglycerol (MG), and cholesterol (Ch), all at fixed aqueous-electrolyte concentrations, pH, temperature, and pressure. The condensed phase diagram for typical physiological conditions (1 g/dL total lipids, FA:MG molar ratio of 5:1, pH 6.5, 0.15 M Na+ at 37 degrees C) was similar to that of a dilute model bile [BS/lecithin (PL)/Ch] system [Carey, M. C., & Small, D. M. (1978) J. Clin. Invest. 61, 998-1026]. We identified two one-phase zones composed of mixed micelles and lamellar liquid crystals, respectively, and two two-phase zones, one composed of Ch monohydrate crystals and Ch-saturated micelles and the other of physiologic relevance composed of Ch- and MIL-saturated mixed micelles and unilamellar vesicles. A single large three-phase zone in the system was composed of Ch-saturated micelles, Ch monohydrate crystals, and liquid crystals. Micellar phase boundaries for otherwise typical physiological conditions were expanded by increases in total lipid concentration (0.25-5 g/dL), pH (5.5-7.5), and FA:MG molar ratio (5-20:1), resulting in a reduction of the size of the physiological two-phase zone. Mean particle hydrodynamic radii (Rh), measured by quasielastic light scattering (QLS), demonstrated an abrupt increase from micellar (less than 40 A) to micelle plus vesicle sizes (400-700 A) as this two-phase zone was entered. With relative lipid compositions within this zone, unilamellar vesicles formed spontaneously following coprecipitation, and their sizes changed markedly as functions of time, reaching equilibrium values only after 4 days. Further, vesicle Rh values were influenced appreciably by MIL:mixed bile salt (MBS) ratio, pH, total lipid concentration, and FA:MG ratio, but not by Ch content. In comparison, micellar systems equilibrated rapidly, and their Rh values only slightly influenced by physical-chemical variables of physiological importance. In contrast to the BS-PL-Ch system [Mazer, N. A., & Carey, M. C. (1983) Biochemistry 22, 426-442], no divergence in micellar sizes occurred as the micellar phase boundary was approached. The ionization state of FA at simulated "intestinal" pH values (5.5-7.5) in the micellar and physiologic two-phase zones was principally that of 1:1 sodium hydrogen dioleate, an insoluble swelling "acid soap" compound. By phase separation and analysis, tie-lines for the constituent phase in the two-phase zone demonstrated that the mixed micelles were saturated with MIL and Ch and the coexisting vesicles were saturated with MBS, but not with Ch.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

Structures of apolipoprotein A-II and a lipid-surrogate complex provide insights into apolipoprotein-lipid interactions.

Apolipoproteins A-I and A-II form the major protein constituents of high-density lipid particles (HDL), the concentration of which is inversely correlated with the frequency of heart disease in humans. Although the physiological role of apolipoprotein A-II is unclear, evidence for its involvement in free fatty acid metabolism in mice has recently been obtained. Currently, the best characterized activity of apolipoprotein A-II is its potent antagonism of the anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory activities of apolipoprotein A-I, probably due to its competition with the latter for lipid acyl side chains in HDL. Many interactions of apolipoprotein A-I with enzymes and proteins involved in reverse cholesterol transport and HDL maturation are mediated by lipid-bound protein. The structural bases of interaction with lipids are expected to be common to exchangeable apolipoproteins and attributable to amphipathic alpha-helices present in each of them. Thus, characterization of apolipoprotein-lipid interactions in any apolipoprotein is likely to provide information that is applicable to the entire class. We report structures of human apolipoprotein A-II and its complex with beta-octyl glucoside, a widely used lipid surrogate. The former shows that disulfide-linked dimers of apolipoprotein A-II form amphipathic alpha-helices which aggregate into tetramers. Dramatic changes, observed in the presence of beta-octyl glucoside, might provide clues to the structural basis for its antagonism of apolipoprotein A-I. Additionally, excursions of individual molecules of apolipoprotein A-II from a common helical architecture in both structures indicate that lipid-bound apolipoproteins are likely to have an ensemble of related conformations. These structures provide the first experimental paradigm for description of apolipoprotein-lipid interactions at the atomic level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Lymphatic transport of halofantrine in the conscious rat when administered as either the free base or the hydrochloride salt: effect of lipid class and lipid vehicle dispersion.

The intestinal lymphatic transport of halofantrine, an important, highly lipophilic antimalarial drug, has been studied in a conscious rat model after oral administration. In these studies, the lymphatic transport of Hf free base when coadministered with lipid was approximately 20% of the administered dose compared with 5% transport after administration of the HCl salt with or without lipid. These differences in transport can be attributed to the increased lipophilicity of the free base (relative to the HCl salt) thereby facilitating greater association of Hf base with the products of luminal lipid digestion and the subsequent interaction with the intestinally derived chylomicrons responsible for lymphatic drug transport. In contrast to previous results in an anesthetized rat model where lymphatic transport was dependent on the characteristics of the intraduodenally administered lipid formulations, the lymphatic transport of Hf base in the conscious rat was independent of both the class of administered lipid (triglyceride or fatty acid) and the extent of formulation dispersion (micellar lipid or lipid solution). Considering the different lymphatic transport profiles of Hf base in the anesthetized and conscious rat models, it is proposed that the lipid vehicle effects observed in the intraduodenally dosed anesthetized model most likely reflects the lack of gastric processing by preduodenal lipase and the shear action of the stomach otherwise present in the conscious rat model.

Administration, Oral↗

Quantitative proteomic analysis of B cell lipid rafts reveals that ezrin regulates antigen receptor-mediated lipid raft dynamics.

Ligation of the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) with antigen induces lipid raft coalescence, a process that occurs after crosslinking of a variety of signaling receptors and is thought to potentiate cellular activation. To investigate lipid raft dynamics during BCR signaling, we quantitatively analyzed the B cell lipid raft proteome. BCR engagement induced dissociation of the adaptor protein ezrin from lipid rafts as well as threonine dephosphorylation of ezrin and its concomitant detachment from actin, indicating a transient uncoupling of lipid rafts from the actin cytoskeleton. Expression of constitutively active ezrin chimeras inhibited the BCR-induced coalescence of lipid rafts. Our data demonstrate that the release of ezrin from lipid rafts acts as a critical trigger that regulates lipid raft dynamics during BCR signaling.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Serum lipid peroxides and lipids in urban and rural Indian men.

Serum lipid peroxides, lipids, blood pressure, body mass index, and dietary intake in 190 urban men were compared with 190 age-matched rural men. Significantly higher levels of lipid peroxides, serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were seen in urban men, compared with rural men. In rural men, serum lipid peroxides were related negatively to age; the same was observed in the 70 + y age group in the urban population. All the lipid constituents were related positively to age in both populations. There were statistically significant correlations between lipid peroxides and serum cholesterol and triglycerides in the urban men. The marked elevation of lipid peroxides and lipids in urban men may be the result of urbanization, including exposure to environmental pollutants.

Adult↗

Lipids as targeting signals: lipid rafts and intracellular trafficking.

Our view of biological membranes has evolved dramatically over the last few decades. In the bilayer model from Singer & Nicholson (Science 1972;175:720-731), both proteins and lipids freely diffuse within the plane of the membrane. Currently, however, membranes are viewed as a mosaic of different compartments or domains maintained by an active cytoskeleton network (Ritchie et al. Mol Membr Biol 2003; 20:13-18). Due to interactions between membrane components, several types of subdomains can form with different characteristics and functions. Lipids are likely to play an important role in the formation of so-called lipid-enriched microdomains or lipid rafts, adding another order of complexity to the membrane model. Rafts represent a type of domain wherein lipids of specific chemistry may dynamically associate with each other, to form platforms important for membrane protein sorting and construction of signaling complexes (Simons & Toomre. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2000;1:31-39). Currently, there are several hypotheses concerning the nature of rafts (reviewed in (Edidin. Annu Rev Biophys Biomol Struct 2003;32: 257-283; Zurzolo et al. EMBO Rep 2003;4:1117-1121)). The most commonly cited one, proposed by Kai Simons (Simons & Ikonen. Nature 1997;387:569-572; Pralle et al. J Cell Biol 2000;148:997-1008), suggests that rafts are relatively small structures ( approximately 50 nm) enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids within which associated proteins are likely to be concentrated. Another proposal (Anderson & Jacobson. Science 2002;296:1821-1825) suggests that rafts are constructed of lipid shells. These are small dynamic assemblies wherein 'raft' proteins are preferentially associated with certain types of lipids. These 'shells' are thermodynamically stable mobile entities in the plane of the membrane that are able to target the protein they encase to preexisting rafts/caveolae domains. In this review we summarize the data suggesting a specific role for lipid domains in intracellular trafficking and sorting and present a modification of the raft model that may help explain the observed phenomena.

Animals↗

Redistribution of macrophage cholesteryl ester hydrolase from cytoplasm to lipid droplets upon lipid loading.

Hydrolysis of intracellular cholesteryl esters (CEs) represents the first step in the removal of cholesterol from lipid-laden foam cells associated with atherosclerotic lesions. Neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase (CEH) catalyzes this reaction, and we recently cloned the cDNA for the human macrophage CEH and demonstrated increased mobilization of intracellular CE droplets by CEH overexpression. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that for CE hydrolysis, CEH must become associated with the surface of the cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Our data show the redistribution of CEH from cytosol to lipid droplets upon lipid loading of human THP-1 macrophages. Depletion of triacylglycerol (TG) by incubation with the acyl-CoA synthetase inhibitor Triacsin D had no effect on CEH association with the lipid droplets, suggesting that CEH associates with mixed (CE + TG) as well as TG-depleted CE droplets. However, CEH had 2.5-fold higher activity when mixed droplets were used as substrate in an in vitro assay, consistent with the reported higher cholesterol efflux from cells containing mixed isotropic droplets. Perilipin as well as adipophilin, two lipid droplet-associated proteins, were also present on the lipid droplets in THP-1 macrophages. In conclusion, CEH associates with its intracellular substrate (lipid droplets) and hydrolyzes CE more efficiently from mixed droplets.

Blotting, Western↗

Insect lipid transfer particle can facilitate net vectorial lipid transfer via a carrier-mediated mechanism.

The mechanism of facilitated lipid transfer by insect or mammalian plasma lipid transfer proteins has not been elucidated. Transfer catalysts may act as carriers of lipid between donor and acceptor lipoproteins or, alternatively, transfer may require formation of a ternary complex. This study was designed to determine if Manduca sexta hemolymph lipid transfer particle (LTP) can facilitate net vectorial transfer of lipid without concomitant contact between donor and acceptor lipoproteins and LTP. M. sexta [3H]diacylglycerol-high density lipophorin-larval ([3H]DAG-HDLp-L) and human low density lipoprotein (LDL) were covalently bound to Sepharose matrices and packed into separate columns. In incubations lacking LTP, greater than 98% of the recovered DAG remained associated with HDLp-L. An unrelated hemolymph storage protein, arylphorin, was unable to catalyze the transfer of DAG between solid-phase lipoproteins. Facilitated transfer of DAG from HDLp-L to LDL was observed when LTP was circulated between the columns. Under these conditions, facilitated transfer occurred at a rate of 2.24 ng of DAG/h (versus 0.16 microgram of DAG/h in the control), and after 16 h greater than 26% of recovered labeled DAG was transferred to LDL. This corresponds to a 14-fold rate enhancement induced by LTP. The LTP-specific transfer of DAG between physically separated lipoproteins demonstrates the ability of LTP to facilitate net lipid transfer via a carrier-mediated mechanism in the absence of a ternary complex involving donor, acceptor, and catalyst. In experiments aimed at assessing the relative contribution of ternary complex formation to DAG transfer, acceptor LDL was circulated with HDLp-L remaining immobilized. Under these conditions, LTP induced a 13-fold rate enhancement from 1.3 to 16.3 micrograms of DAG/h. The similar rate enhancements observed with both lipoproteins bound and only donor bound suggest the overall contribution of ternary complex formation to facilitated lipid transfer is insignificant. The described system should prove useful in mechanistic studies of other transfer proteins as well as studies of transfer of other lipids.

Animals↗

Dietary docosahexaenoic acid does not promote tissue lipid peroxide formation to the extent expected from the peroxidizability index of the lipids.

Changes in susceptibility of tissues to lipid peroxidation were investigated in rats after ingestion of oxidation-prone docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3). Lipid peroxide levels in the liver, kidney and testis increased concomitant with increases in the peroxidizability indices calculated from the fatty acid composition of tissue total lipids. However, even in these cases, the lipid peroxides were not increased to the levels expected from the peroxidizability indices of these tissues, and thus no tissue injury was recognized. When low level of vitamin E was given to rats, the lipid peroxide levels of liver, kidney and testis nearly coincided with the peroxidizability indices of these tissues, where the cell injuries were observed as well. The mechanisms of defense to suppress lipid peroxide levels below the peroxidizability indices in normal vitamin E administration were presumed to be due to enhanced antioxidative function in the tissues mediated primarily by vitamin E, ascorbic acid and glutathione, and also to increased incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid into neutral lipids and phosphatidylethanolamine in the tissues, probably leading to acquiring stability against oxidative attack. Owing to these suppressive mechanisms, physiological efficacy of n-3 fatty acids may be exerted effectively.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Relative alpha-tocopherol deficiency in cultured cells: free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation, lipid oxidizability, and cellular polyunsaturated fatty acid content.

We propose that most cultured cells are deficient in vitamin E. Using our optimized assay for tocopherol, we find that L1210 lymphoblastic leukemia cells, cultured in standard growth media, contain only 2.3 +/- 0.03 micrograms of tocopherol/10(8) cells, whereas when they are transplanted and grown for the same time in the ascites fluid of mice fed standard diets, this increases to 5.8 +/- 0.6 micrograms of tocopherol/10(8) cells. This apparent tocopherol deficiency in cultured cells is likely due to the low concentrations of tocopherol contained in most tissue culture media, even with the addition of serum. To further study this apparent deficiency and the relationship of cellular tocopherol to membrane lipid bis-allylic hydrogen positions, we supplemented the growth media of L1210 lymphoblastic leukemia cells with alpha-tocopherol and compared the resultant cellular tocopherol content to the degree of unsaturation of cellular lipids, alpha-Tocopherol was incorporated by cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with plateaus at 24 h and 100 microM, respectively. A maximum 400% increase in cellular tocopherol was easily achieved. By experimentally modifying the fatty acid content of cellular lipids, we were able to determine that cellular tocopherol uptake and content is not a function of cellular lipid composition; cells enriched with polyunsaturated lipids incorporated tocopherol to the same extent as those enriched with more saturated lipids. Thus, as the cellular polyunsaturated fatty acid content increases, the tocopherol:bis-allylic position ratio in the cells decreases, resulting in less antioxidant protection for each lipid double bond. Consequently, when polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched cells are exposed to an oxidative stress, such as Fe2+, their tocopherol levels decline much faster than cells enriched with saturated fatty acids. This decline is consistent with their respective tocopherol:bis-allylic position ratio. These results provide a basis, at the cellular level, for investigators to consider vitamin E when studying cell response to oxidative stress.

Animals↗