Influence of age and sex on composition and lipid fluidity in miniature swine plasma lipoproteins.

Age- and sex-related differences were observed in the plasma cholesterol level, the plasma concentrations of certain lipoprotein components, and the HDL lipid phase fluidity in miniature swine from post-weaning (6 weeks) through puberty (6 months), maturity (2-6 years), and old age (10-12 years). Age effects were more dominant in the males, with VLDL protein; LDL protein, triacylglycerol, and phospholipid; and HDL triacylglycerol, phospholipid, cholesterol, and polyunsaturated fatty acids showing statistically significant negative correlations with age. These effects were not observed in females. HDL cholesterol was positively correlated with age in females. Total plasma cholesterol decreased with age in males only, but plasma triacylglycerol was not influenced by age in either sex. Higher concentrations of all lipoprotein lipids were observed in the female minipigs regardless of age. HDL lipids became less fluid with age in the males alone suggesting a physical chemical basis for the lower incidence of heart disease among females. The more fluid HDL circulating in the female may be more capable of mobilizing peripheral tissue cholesterol for catabolism thus protecting her from developing atherosclerotic lesions.