Mevinolin and cholestyramine inhibit the direct synthesis of low density lipoprotein apolipoprotein B in miniature pigs.

Previous studies established that following simultaneous injection of 125I-labeled homologous very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and 131I-labeled homologous low density lipoproteins (LDL) into miniature pigs, a large proportion of LDL apolipoprotein B (apoB) was synthesized directly, independent of VLDL or intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) apoB catabolism. The possibility that cholestyramine alone (a bile acid sequestrant) or in combination with mevinolin (a cholesterol synthesis inhibitor) could regulate the direct LDL apoB synthetic pathway was investigated. 125I-labeled VLDL and 131I-labeled LDL were injected into miniature pigs (n = 8) during a control period and following 18 days of cholestyramine treatment (1.0 g kg-1d-1) or following 18 days of treatment with cholestyramine and mevinolin (1.2 mg kg-1d-1). ApoB in each lipoprotein fraction was selectively precipitated using isopropanol in order to calculate specific activity. In control experiments, LDL apoB specific activity curves reached their peak values well before crossing the VLDL or IDL apoB curves. However, cholestyramine treatment resulted in LDL apoB curves reaching maximal values much closer to the point of intersection with the VLDL or IDL curves. Kinetic analyses demonstrated that cholestyramine reduced total LDL apoB flux by 33%, which was due entirely to inhibition of the LDL apoB direct synthesis pathway since VLDL-derived apoB was unaffected. In addition, the LDL apoB pool size was reduced by 30% and the fractional catabolic rate of LDL apoB was increased by 16% with cholestyramine treatment. The combination of mevinolin and cholestyramine resulted in an even more marked inhibition of the direct LDL apoB synthesis pathway (by 90%), and in two animals this pathway was completely abolished. This inhibition was selective as VLDL-derived LDL apoB synthesis was not significantly different. LDL apoB pool size was reduced by 60% due primarily to the reduced synthesis as well as a 40% greater fractional removal rate. These results are consistent with the idea that cholestyramine and mevinolin increase LDL catabolism by inducing hepatic apoB, E receptors. We have now shown that the direct synthesis of LDL apoB is selectively inhibited by these two drugs.