[Composition and metabolism of extremely low-density lipoproteins in normal rabbits of different age and under experimental atherosclerosis]

Abstract

The lipid composition and protein content in extremely low-density lipoproteids. lipoproteid-lypase activity and breakdown dynamics of the mentioned [3H]cholesterol-labelled lipoproteids are studied in blood of young and old rabbits in norm and under experimental atherosclerosis. It is shown that in normal animals the content of all lipid components and protein decreases with ageing in the fraction of extremely low-density lipoproteids isolated from blood serum. The activity of lipoproteid lypase and breakdown of intravenously injected labelled extremely low-density lipoproteids are lowered in old animals as well. Under experimental atherosclerosis in extremely low-density lipoproteids there occurs accumulation of cholesterol esters in considerable amounts, the breakdown of the class lipoproteids is slown down. The enzymic activity manifests no significant changes in comparison with the norm. Disturbances in the composition of lipoproteids and their metabolism with the studied pathology are more pronounced in old rabbits than in young ones.