Changes in the concentration of plasma lipoproteins and apoproteins following the administration of Triton WR 1339 to rats.

Changes in whole plasma and lipoprotien apoprotein concentrations were determined after a single injection of Triton WR 1339 into rats. Concentrations of apoproteins A-I (an activator of lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase), arginine-rich apoprotein (ARP), and B apoprotein were measured by electroimmunoassay. The content of C-II apoprotein (an activaor of lipoprotein lipase) was estimated by the ability of plasma and lipoprotein fractions to promote hydrolysis of triglyceride in the presence of cow's milk lipase and also by isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels. Apoproteins C-II and A-I were rapidly removed from high density lipoprotein (HDL) after Triton treatment and were recovered in the d 1.21 g/ml infranate fraction. A-I was then totally cleared from the plasma within 10--20 hr after injection. Arginine-rich apoprotein was removed from HDL and also partially cleared from the plasma. The rise in very low density lipoprotein (vldl) apoprotein that followed the removal of apoproteins from HDL was mostly antributed to the B apoprotein, although corresponding smaller increases were observed in VLDL ARP and C apoproteins. The triglyceride:cholesterol, triglyceride:protein, and B:C apoprotein ratios of VLDL more closely resembled nascent rather than plasma VLDL 10 hr after Triton injection. These studies suggest that the detergent may achieve its hyperlipidemic effct by disrupting HDL and thus removing the A-I and C-II proteins from a normal activating environment compirsing VLDL, HDL, and the enzymes. The possible involvement of intact HDL in VLDL catabolism is discussed in relation to other recent reports which also suggest that abnormalities of the VLDL-LDL system may be due to the absence of normal HDL.