Inhibition of human lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity by catecholamines in vitro.

The effects of L-adrenaline and L-noradrenaline on human lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity were investigated in vitro. Both catecholamines are shown to be inhibitors of this enzyme. Despite inter-individual variations in the dose-response relationships calculated for both hormones, significant effects can be expected in the upper physiological range of concentration. Since diminished LCAT activity is known to be followed by a low level of HDL cholesterol and an increased concentration of triglycerides, it is supposed that catecholamine mediated inhibition of LCAT activity may contribute to the development of stress mediated fluctuations in plasma lipoprotein concentrations.