scholarly journals Roles of the WHHL Rabbit in Translational Research on Hypercholesterolemia and Cardiovascular Diseases

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsutomu Kobayashi ◽  
Takashi Ito ◽  
Masashi Shiomi

Conquering cardiovascular diseases is one of the most important problems in human health. To overcome cardiovascular diseases, animal models have played important roles. Although the prevalence of genetically modified animals, particularly mice and rats, has contributed greatly to biomedical research, not all human diseases can be investigated in this way. In the study of cardiovascular diseases, mice and rats are inappropriate because of marked differences in lipoprotein metabolism, pathophysiological findings of atherosclerosis, and cardiac function. On the other hand, since lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits closely resemble those in humans, several useful animal models for these diseases have been developed in rabbits. One of the most famous of these is the Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit, which develops hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis spontaneously due to genetic and functional deficiencies of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. The WHHL rabbit has been improved to develop myocardial infarction, and the new strain was designated the myocardial infarction-prone WHHL (WHHLMI) rabbit. This review summarizes the importance of selecting animal species for translational research in biomedical science, the development of WHHL and WHHLMI rabbits, their application to the development of hypocholesterolemic and/or antiatherosclerotic drugs, and future prospects regarding WHHL and WHHLMI rabbits.

1986 ◽  
Vol 234 (2) ◽  
pp. 493-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Bhattacharya ◽  
S Balasubramaniam ◽  
L A Simons

The mechanism of regulation of plasma low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism in the rat was studied under a number of experimental conditions. LDL clearance and uptake in the liver was measured after intravenous pulse injection of [14C]sucrose-labelled LDL alone or in combination with reductively methylated [3H]sucrose-labelled LDL. Hyperthyroid rats showed a significant increase in fractional catabolic rate (FCR) and the proportion of LDL degraded in the liver, whereas the synthetic rate of LDL increased by 50%. Receptor-mediated clearance increased 2-fold. Hypothyroid rats showed a significant increase in LDL concentration. The FCR and proportion of LDL degraded in the liver were decreased significantly. Receptor-mediated clearance was also reduced. Cholesterol feeding increased chylomicron, very-low-density-and intermediate-density-lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, but there was no change in the LDL concentration, FCR or the synthetic rate of LDL. Cholestyramine feeding did not induce changes in the kinetic parameters. These results indicate that, in the rat, the hepatic LDL-receptor pathway is under hormonal control, whereas cholesterol and cholestyramine feeding have no demonstrated effect on LDL metabolism.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 117955141987868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kattah ◽  
Andrés Gómez ◽  
Sebastián Gutiérrez ◽  
Kathalina Puerto ◽  
Eiman D Moreno-Pallares ◽  
...  

The liver is a key organ in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, hence hepatic diseases often manifest as lipid disturbances. Cholestatic liver diseases are frequently associated with an important increase in total cholesterol at the expense of lipoprotein X (LpX), an abnormal lipoprotein isolated and characterized in the 1960s to 1970s in patients with obstructive jaundice. Lipoprotein X is rich in phospholipids, albumin, and free cholesterol, has a density similar to low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and a size similar to very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), which has hampered its detection through routine laboratory tests. Unlike LDL, LpX has no apoB-100, so it is not removed from circulation via the LDL receptor, and it is not clear whether or not it can be atherogenic. Although LpX was initially described in patients with cholestasis, it has also been found in patients with genetic deficiency of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), in patients who receive lipid-rich parenteral nutrition and most recently in patients with graft versus host disease of the liver. In the presence of LpX, plasma total cholesterol can rise up to 1000 mg/dL, which may lead to the development of skin xanthomas and hyperviscosity syndrome. Treatment of LpX-dependent hypercholesterolemia with conventional hypolipidemic drugs is frequently ineffective, and definitive treatment relies on correction of the underlying cause of cholestasis. Here, we present the case of a patient with LpX-dependent hypercholesterolemia in the context of primary biliary cholangitis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 1211-1228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Yang ◽  
Bart O. Williams

The identification of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) provided a foundation for subsequent studies in lipoprotein metabolism, receptor-mediated endocytosis, and many other fundamental biological functions. The importance of the LDLR led to numerous studies that identified homologous molecules and ultimately resulted in the description of the LDL-receptor superfamily, a group of proteins that contain domains also found in the LDLR. Subsequent studies have revealed that members of the LDLR-related protein family play roles in regulating many aspects of signal transduction. This review is focused on the roles of selected members of this protein family in skeletal development and disease. We present background on the identification of this subgroup of receptors, discuss the phenotypes associated with alterations in their function in human patients and mouse models, and describe the current efforts to therapeutically target these proteins to treat human skeletal disease.


2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 1679-1686
Author(s):  
Cyrille Maugeais ◽  
Khadija Ouguerram ◽  
Regis Frénais ◽  
Pascale Maugère ◽  
Bernard Charbonnel ◽  
...  

The acute reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol obtained by LDL-apheresis allows the role of the high level of circulating LDL on lipoprotein metabolism in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous FH) to be addressed. We studied apolipoprotein B (apoB) kinetics in five heterozygous FH patients before and the day after an apheresis treatment using endogenous labeling with [2H3]leucine. Compared with younger control subjects, heterozygous FH patients before apheresis showed a significant decrease in the fractional catabolic rate of LDL (0.24 ± 0.08 vs. 0.65 ± 0.22 day−1; P < 0.01), and LDL production was increased in heterozygous FH patients (18.9 ± 7.0 vs. 9.9 ± 4.2 mg/kg·day; P< 0.05). The modeling of postapheresis apoB kinetics was performed using a nonsteady state condition, taking into account the changing pool size of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate density lipoprotein, and LDL apoB. The postapheresis kinetic parameters did not show statistical differences compared with preapheresis parameters in heterozygous FH patients; however, a trend for increases in fractional catabolic rate of LDL (0.24 ± 0.08 vs. 0.35± 0.09 day−1; P = 0.067) and the production of VLDL (13.7 ± 8.3 vs. 21.9 ± 1.6 mg/kg·day; P = 0.076) was observed. These results suggested that the marked decrease in plasma LDL obtained a short time after LDL-apheresis is able to stimulate LDL receptor activity and VLDL production in heterozygous FH.


1989 ◽  
Vol 262 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
N F Brown ◽  
A M Salter ◽  
R Fears ◽  
D N Brindley

Rat hepatocytes were preincubated for 16 h with hormones or drugs and then for a further 8 h with 125I-human low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Glucagon (via cyclic AMP) and adrenaline (via cyclic AMP and alpha-effects) increased the binding of 125I-LDL to the LDL receptor, and the degradation of LDL to [125I]iodotyrosine. The effects on degradation were antagonized by dexamethasone, and the action of cyclic AMP on binding and degradation was inhibited by actinomycin D. The results are discussed in relation to the control of lipoprotein metabolism in diabetes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (9) ◽  
pp. 3340-3348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Fazio ◽  
Jessica Minnier ◽  
Michael D Shapiro ◽  
Sotirios Tsimikas ◽  
Patrizia Tarugi ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Angiopoietin-like 3 (ANGPTL3) deficiency in plasma due to loss-of-function gene mutations results in familial combined hypobetalipoproteinemia type 2 (FHBL2) in homozygotes. However, the lipid phenotype in heterozygotes is much milder and does not appear to relate directly to ANGPTL3 levels. Furthermore, the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) phenotype in carriers of ANGPTL3 mutations is unexplained. Objective To determine whether reduction below a critical threshold in plasma ANGPTL3 levels is a determinant of lipoprotein metabolism in FHBL2, and to determine whether proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is involved in determining low LDL levels in this condition. Design We studied subjects from 19 families with ANGPTL3 mutations and subjects with familial combined hypobetalipoproteinemia type 1 (FHBL1) due to truncated apolipoprotein B (apoB) species. Results First, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL and LDL particle concentration correlated with plasma ANGPTL3 levels but only when the latter was <25% of normal (<60 ng/dL). Second, the very low-density lipoprotein particle concentration correlated strongly with plasma ANGPTL3 when the latter was <58% of normal. Third, both FHBL1 and FHBL2 subjects showed low levels of mature and LDL-bound PCSK9 and higher levels of its furin-cleaved form. Finally, LDL-bound PCSK9 is protected from cleavage by furin and binds to the LDL receptor more strongly than apoB-free PCSK9. Conclusions Our results suggest that the hypolipidemic effects of ANGPTL3 mutations in FHBL2 are dependent on a threshold of plasma ANGPTL3 levels, with differential effects on various lipoprotein particles. The increased inactivation of PCSK9 by furin in FHBL1 and FHBL2 is likely to cause increased LDL clearance and suggests novel therapeutic avenues.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 39-42
Author(s):  
T. A. Mulerova ◽  
M. Yu. Ogarkov ◽  
O. L. Barbarash

1409 people (901 Shors, 508 non-indigenous people) from remote villages of Mountain Shoriya (Orton and Ust-Kabyrsa) and urban-type settlement Sheregesh took part in the survey. In Shors, the risk of developing hypertension was determined by elevated levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, violation of carbohydrate metabolism, obesity, including its abdominal type, the family anamnesis of early cardiovascular diseases, and a carriage of prognostically unfavorable genotypes D/D and C/C of the corresponding genes ACE and AGTR 1 candidates; in the cohort of non-indigenous ethnos-elevated levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, obesity, abdominal obesity, the family anamnesis of early cardiovascular diseases, a carrier of the minor genotype C/C of the AGTR 1 gene


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (31) ◽  
pp. 5159-5174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinjie Lu

Background:Angiopoietin-Like Proteins (ANGPTLs) are structurally related to the angiopoietins. A total of eight ANGPTLs (from ANGPTL1 to ANGPTL8) have been identified so far. Most ANGPTLs possess multibiological functions on lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Among them, ANGPTL3 has been shown to regulate the levels of Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) made by the liver and play a crucial role in human lipoprotein metabolism.Method:A systematic appraisal of ANGPTLs was conducted, focusing on the main features of ANGPTL3 that has a significant role in atherosclerosis.Results:Angiopoietins including ANGPTL3 are vascular growth factors that are highly specific for endothelial cells, perform a variety of other regulatory activities to influence inflammation, and have been shown to possess both pro-atherosclerotic and atheroprotective effects.Conclusion:ANGPTL3 has been demonstrated as a promising target in the pharmacological management of atherosclerosis. However, many questions remain about its biological functions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 1029-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinjie Lu

Background:One of the important factors in Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism is the LDL receptor (LDLR) by its capacity to bind and subsequently clear cholesterol derived from LDL (LDL-C) in the circulation. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin-like Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a newly discovered serine protease that destroys LDLR in the liver and thereby controls the levels of LDL in plasma. Inhibition of PCSK9-mediated degradation of LDLR has, therefore, become a novel target for lipid-lowering therapy.Methods:We review the current understanding of the structure and function of PCSK9 as well as its implications for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.Results:New treatments such as monoclonal antibodies against PCSK9 may be useful agents to lower plasma levels of LDL and hence prevent atherosclerosis.Conclusion:PCSK9's mechanism of action is not yet fully clarified. However, treatments that target PCSK9 have shown striking early efficacy and promise to improve the lives of countless patients with hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabia Nabi ◽  
Sahir Sultan Alvi ◽  
Mohd. Saeed ◽  
Saheem Ahmad ◽  
Mohammad Salman Khan

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) acts as an absolute mediator of cardiovascular risk, prompting the prolonged occurrence, size and intricacy of atherosclerotic plaques via enhanced Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) formation. Moreover, hyperglycemia is associated with enhanced glyco-oxidized and oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) possessing greater atherogenicity and decreased the ability to regulate HMG-CoA reductase (HMG-R). Although aminoguanidine (AG) prevents the AGE-induced protein cross-linking due to its anti-glycation potential, it exerts several unusual pharmaco-toxicological effects thus restraining its desirable therapeutic effects. HMG-R inhibitors/statins exhibit a variety of beneficial impacts in addition to the cholesterol-lowering effects. Objective: Inhibition of AGEs interaction with receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and glyco-oxidized-LDL by HMG-R inhibitors could decrease LDL uptake by LDL-receptor (LDL-R), regulate cholesterol synthesis via HMG-R, decrease oxidative and inflammatory stress to improve the diabetes-associated complications. Conclusion: Current article appraises the pathological AGE-RAGE concerns in diabetes and its associated complications, mainly focusing on the phenomenon of both circulatory AGEs and those accumulating in tissues in diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy, discussing the potential protective role of HMG-R inhibitors against diabetic complications.


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