Neurotensin and substance P: differential effects on plasma cholesterol levels in conscious ovariectomized rats

Circulating plasma cholesterol levels were measured in conscious ovariectomized rats, bearing an indwelling silastic catheter in the external jugular vein, after intravenous (i.v.) pulse injection of 100 microliter 0.9% NaCl containing varying doses of neurotensin and/or substance P. Control injections of saline or decapeptide LH-RH or phosphate buffer did not modify plasma cholesterol levels. 10 or 20 micrograms doses of neurotensin produced a significant and dose-related increase in plasma cholesterol levels while similar doses of substance P had an opposite effect and induced a significant decline in plasma cholesterol levels in ovariectomized rats. 4-APP, a drug which selectively inhibits hepatic secretion of lipoproteins, significantly lowers plasma cholesterol to levels comparable to those produced by substance P. 4-APP and substance P induced hypocholesterolemia was readily reversed by a single dose of neurotensin. These findings indicate that neurotensin acts to increase circulating cholesterol levels and substance P antagonizes this hypercholesterolemic effect of neurotensin presumably by acting at some step in cholesterol transport. Reversal of the inhibitory effects of 4-APP and substance P on blood cholesterol by neurotensin may be through its action on hepatic secretion of lipoproteins, since 4-APP is known to lower circulating cholesterol by its specific action on hepatic secretion of lipoproteins.