Comparison of the intravascular metabolism of cholesteryl esters and apoproteins of plasma low- and high-density lipoproteins in the rat (Rattus norvegicus), an animal species without plasma cholesteryl ester transfer activity.

1. The intravascular metabolism of the cholesteryl esters (CE) and apoproteins of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) was compared in the rat, an animal species without plasma cholesteryl ester transfer activity (CETA). 2. The apoproteins and the CE of LDL had identical catabolic rates, and there was no transfer of LDL CE to other lipoprotein classes. 3. The CE of the HDL, however, had higher catabolic rates than the apoproteins, and there was transfer of HDL CE to LDL but not to very low density lipoproteins.