Prednisone increases low density lipoprotein in cynomolgus monkeys fed saturated fat and cholesterol

Cynomolgus monkeys were given prednisone to determine its effects on lipoprotein metabolism and other risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. After 1 month of oral prednisone, the mean total plasma cholesterol (TPC) concentration increased from 240 +/- 36 to 476 +/- 78 mg/dl (p less than 0.01) in animals fed a diet containing 36% of calories as fat (polyunsaturated/monounsaturated/saturated, 1.0:3.9:4.1) and cholesterol (0.39 mg/kcal). The increase in TPC was due to higher concentrations of the apolipoprotein B (apo B)-containing lipoproteins, particularly low density lipoprotein (LDL). LDL cholesterol concentrations also increased in animals fed a diet containing saturated fat and 0.25 mg/kcal of cholesterol, as well as in animals fed monkey chow. Kinetic studies of LDL indicated both an increased flux of apo B into LDL and a decrease in the fractional catabolic rate of LDL. Mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration decreased from 48 +/- 8.2 to 14 +/- 4 mg/dl, p less than 0.001, in animals fed fat and cholesterol, but there was no significant change in HDL-C in animals fed monkey chow. Blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, and anthropometric measures did not change after 7 months of prednisone therapy. Prednisone increases LDL concentration in the cynomolgus monkey. This animal may be a good model for studying corticosteroid dyslipoproteinemia, and possibly atherosclerosis, in an immunosuppressed host.