Tissue distribution of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether-labeled human Lp(a) in different rat organs

The sites of tissue uptake of human lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a] were studied in rats using [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether [( 3H]CLE) as a marker. Since rat plasma has no cholesteryl ester transfer activity, the amount of label in various tissues should reflect the quantitative uptake of Lp(a). Isolated Lp(a) was labeled with [3H]CLE by incubation overnight of Lp(a), a source of cholesteryl ester transfer activity (1.23 g/ml infranate of human plasma), and [3H]CLE-labeled Intralipid. Following labeling, the homogeneity and integrity of Lp(a) was shown by agarose electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Intact Lp(a) was injected via the tail vein of rats (120-170 g, n = 4 at each time point), and tissues were collected at various times thereafter (4-48 h). The disappearance curve of [3H]CLE-labeled Lp(a) from rat plasma was bimodal and had an initial rapid t1/2 of 1.8 h followed by a slower component, t1/2 = 13.3 h. Tissue uptake at all sampling times was greatest in liver (28.5% at 48 h of total dpm injected), followed by the intestine (9-12%), with less than 3% uptake by spleen. The small intestine was divided into four segments, and while the 3H radioactivity was similar in the proximal segments, a time-related increase in [3H]CLE was seen in its most distal portion. These studies indicate that the tissue sites of degradation in the rat of human Lp(a) are similar to human low-density lipoproteins (LDL); the increase in label in the distal portion of the small intestine with time may represent [3H]CLE excreted through the bile and absorbed by the mucosal cells.