Apolipoprotein A-V deficiency enhances chylomicron production in lymph fistula mice

Abstract

Apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V), a liver-synthesized apolipoprotein discovered in 2001, strongly modulates fasting plasma triglycerides (TG). Little is reported on the effect of apoA-V on postprandial plasma TG, an independent predictor for atherosclerosis. Overexpressing apoA-V in mice suppresses postprandial TG, but mechanisms focus on increased lipolysis or clearance of remnant particles. Unknown is whether apoA-V suppresses the absorption of dietary lipids by the gut. This study examines how apoA-V deficiency affects the steady-state absorption and lymphatic transport of dietary lipids in chow-fed mice. Using apoA-V knockout (KO, n = 8) and wild-type (WT, n = 8) lymph fistula mice, we analyzed the uptake and lymphatic transport of lipids during a continuous infusion of an emulsion containing [3H]triolein and [14C]cholesterol. ApoA-V KO mice showed a twofold increase in3H ( P < 0.001) and a threefold increase in14C ( P < 0.001) transport into the lymph compared with WT. The increased lymphatic transport was accompanied by a twofold reduction ( P < 0.05) in mucosal3H, suggesting that apoA-V KO mice more rapidly secreted [3H]TG out of the mucosa into the lymph. ApoA-V KO mice also produced chylomicrons more rapidly than WT ( P < 0.05), as measured by the transit time of [14C]oleic acid from the intestinal lumen to lymph. Interestingly, apoA-V KO mice produced a steadily increasing number of chylomicron particles over time, as measured by lymphatic apoB output. The data suggest that apoA-V suppresses the production of chylomicrons, playing a previously unknown role in lipid metabolism that may contribute to the postprandial hypertriglyceridemia associated with apoA-V deficiency.