The arterial acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase and cholesterol ester hydrolase activities

Cholesterol acyltransferase and cholesterol esterase activities of protein extracts from pig aortas have been examined and the rations of synthesis/hydrolysis rates in the presence of substrates with different fatty acids estimated. The values obtained were in the numerical order: cholesteryl oleate greater than palmitate greater than or equal to linoleate greater than linolenate greater than staerate. The results are discussed in relation to the known different accumulation of cholesterol esters in the arterial wall.