Marked elevation of HDL-cholesterol in cold-adapted golden hamsters

Golden hamsters with spontaneous hypercholesterolemia at 22 degrees C developed a further increase in plasma cholesterol when they were maintained at 6 degrees C. This hypercholesterolemia was associated with a redistribution of plasma cholesterol between VLDL and HDL. Plasma cholesterol transported in the VLDL decreased while cholesterol in the HDL increased by 45%. The LDL profile was not significantly modified.