Lipoprotein lipase does not increase significantly in the postprandial plasma

Area of Science:

• Lipid Metabolism
• Nutritional Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Previous research indicated elevated lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity post-meal, linked to increased triglyceride-rich lipoproteins.
• This study re-evaluated the relationship between LPL activity and postprandial lipid changes using a novel LPL assay.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the postprandial changes in lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and concentration following different types of food intake.
• To clarify the role of LPL in the metabolism of chylomicrons (CM) and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) after meals.

Main Methods:

• Healthy volunteers (n=191) consumed a standard meal, a high-fat meal (50g), a high-glucose meal (75g), or a mixed meal (cookie).
• Plasma levels of LPL, HTGL, triglycerides (TG), and remnant lipoproteins (RLP-C, RLP-TG) were measured post-ingestion.

Main Results:

• Plasma TG, RLP-C, and RLP-TG significantly increased 2-6 hours after standard and fat-rich meals.
• However, LPL and HTGL concentrations and activities did not show significant increases post-meal.
• LPL concentration also remained unchanged after glucose and mixed meal intake within 4 hours.

Conclusions:

• The study found no significant increase in LPL activity following chylomicron (CM) and VLDL overload after diverse food intakes.
• These findings, confirmed by a new assay, challenge previous assumptions about LPL's immediate postprandial response.