| Summary: | The VLDL receptor (VLDLr) is involved in tissue delivery of VLDL-triglyceride (TG)-derived FFA by facilitating the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). However, vldlr−/− mice do not show altered plasma lipoprotein levels, despite reduced LPL expression. Because LPL activity is crucial in postprandial lipid metabolism, we investigated whether the VLDLr plays a role in chylomicron clearance. Fed plasma TG levels of vldlr−/− mice were 2.5-fold increased compared with those of vldlr+/+ littermates (1.20 ± 0.37 mM vs. 0.47 ± 0.18 mM; P < 0.001). Strikingly, an intragastric fat load led to a 9-fold increased postprandial TG response in vldlr−/− compared with vldlr+/+ mice (226 ± 188 mM/h vs. 25 ± 11 mM/h; P < 0.05). Accordingly, the plasma clearance of [3H]TG-labeled protein-free chylomicron-mimicking emulsion particles was delayed in vldlr−/− compared with vldlr+/+ mice (half-life of 12.0 ± 2.6 min vs. 5.5 ± 0.9 min; P < 0.05), with a 60% decreased uptake of label into adipose tissue (P < 0.05). VLDLr deficiency did not affect the plasma half-life and adipose tissue uptake of albumin-complexed [14C]FFA, indicating that the VLDLr facilitates postprandial LPL-mediated TG hydrolysis rather than mediating FFA uptake.We conclude that the VLDLr plays a major role in the metabolism of postprandial lipoproteins by enhancing LPL-mediated TG hydrolysis.
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