Low plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase and lipid transfer protein activities in growth hormone deficient and acromegalic men: role in altered high density lipoproteins

• Published in: Atherosclerosis 2000-12, Vol.153 (2), p.491-498
• Main Authors: Beentjes, John A.M, van Tol, Arie, Sluiter, Wim J, Dullaart, Robin P.F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acromegaly; Acromegaly - blood; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Carrier Proteins - blood; Cholesteryl ester transfer protein; Cholesteryl esterification, cholesteryl ester transfer; Coronary heart disease; Growth Hormone - deficiency; Heart; High density lipoproteins; Humans; Lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase; Lipoproteins, HDL - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol O-Acyltransferase - blood; Phospholipid transfer protein
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9150(00)00433-0

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency and acromegaly may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Little is known about alterations in high density lipoproteins (HDL) in these conditions. Lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) has the ability to esterify free cholesterol (FC) in HDL. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is able to transfer cholesteryl esters (CE) from HDL to very low and low density lipoproteins (VLDL and LDL). During phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) -mediated HDL remodelling, small pre β-HDL particles are generated which serve as acceptors for cellular cholesterol and provide the initial LCAT-substrate. We documented plasma lipids, LCAT, CETP and PLTP activity levels as well as plasma cholesterol esterification (EST) and cholesteryl ester transfer (CET) in 12 adult men with acquired GH deficiency, 12 acromegalic men and 24 healthy male subjects. All GH deficient and acromegalic patients received conventional hormonal replacement therapy if necessary. VLDL+LDL cholesterol and plasma triglycerides were higher in GH deficient ( P