Plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity in high- and low-responding rhesus monkeys.

The initial rate of esterification of plasma cholesterol by lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) was measured in high- and low-responding rhesus monkeys fed a moderately high cholesterol (0.15 mg/kcal) diet. The results show that the rate of esterification of cholesterol in the plasma of the high-responders was significantly (p less than 0.025) higher than that of the low-responding animals. In view of known relationships between LCAT activity and plasma lipoprotein metabolism, it is suggested that the lipoprotein metabolism in the high-responders would differ from that in the low-responders.