The VLDL receptor plays a major role in chylomicron metabolism by enhancing LPL-mediated triglyceride hydrolysis

• Published in: Journal of lipid research 2004-08, Vol.45 (8), p.1475-1481
• Main Authors: Goudriaan, Jeltje R., Santo, Sonia M. S. Espirito, Voshol, Peter J., Teusink, Bas, van Dijk, Ko Willems, van Vlijmen, Bart J.M., Romijn, Johannes A., Havekes, Louis M., Rensen, Patrick C.N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adipose tissue; Adipose Tissue - metabolism; Albumins - metabolism; Animals; Chylomicrons - metabolism; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified - metabolism; free fatty acids; lipoprotein lipase; Lipoprotein Lipase - metabolism; Mice; postprandial lipid metabolism; Receptors, LDL - deficiency; Receptors, LDL - genetics; Receptors, LDL - metabolism; transgenic mice; Triglycerides - metabolism; very low density lipoprotein-like emulsion
• ISSN: 0022-2275; 1539-7262
• DOI: 10.1194/jlr.M400009-JLR200

The VLDL receptor (VLDLr) is involved in tissue delivery of VLDL-triglyceride (TG)-derived FFA by facilitating the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). However, vldlr−/− mice do not show altered plasma lipoprotein levels, despite reduced LPL expression. Because LPL activity is crucial in postprandial lipid metabolism, we investigated whether the VLDLr plays a role in chylomicron clearance. Fed plasma TG levels of vldlr−/− mice were 2.5-fold increased compared with those of vldlr+/+ littermates (1.20 ± 0.37 mM vs. 0.47 ± 0.18 mM; P < 0.001). Strikingly, an intragastric fat load led to a 9-fold increased postprandial TG response in vldlr−/− compared with vldlr+/+ mice (226 ± 188 mM/h vs. 25 ± 11 mM/h; P < 0.05). Accordingly, the plasma clearance of [3H]TG-labeled protein-free chylomicron-mimicking emulsion particles was delayed in vldlr−/− compared with vldlr+/+ mice (half-life of 12.0 ± 2.6 min vs. 5.5 ± 0.9 min; P < 0.05), with a 60% decreased uptake of label into adipose tissue (P < 0.05). VLDLr deficiency did not affect the plasma half-life and adipose tissue uptake of albumin-complexed [14C]FFA, indicating that the VLDLr facilitates postprandial LPL-mediated TG hydrolysis rather than mediating FFA uptake. We conclude that the VLDLr plays a major role in the metabolism of postprandial lipoproteins by enhancing LPL-mediated TG hydrolysis.