Lipoprotein secretion by isolated perfused livers from streptozotocin-diabetic rats

In liver perfusion from sucrose-fed, streptozotocin-diabetic rats there was in comparison with normal animals, a decrease in very low density lipoprotein concentration in the perfusion medium (38.6 +/- 6.3 versus 64.4 +/- 8.4 microgram . g liver -1 3 h-1, p less than 0.05) and an increase in high density lipoprotein concentration (33.5 +/- 6.5 versus 14.0 +/- 1.9 microgram . g liver-1 3 h-1, p less than 0.005), which was paralleled by enhanced secretion of apoprotein A-I. The triglyceride: protein ratio was lower in very low density lipoprotein from diabetic animals (8.8 versus 13.4). Analysis of the apoprotein composition showed that diabetic very low density lipoprotein lacked arginine-rich protein (apo-E) and apo-C peptides; diabetic high density lipoprotein also lacked arginine-rich protein but contained more A-IV and apo-C-peptides. This may indicate net transfer of C peptides to high density lipoprotein from the degradation of very low density lipoprotein particles. The ratio of 3H-leucine: 14C-glucosamine incorporation was decreased in all diabetic lipoprotein classes suggesting increased glycosylation of apoproteins. These changes in particle composition may influence lipoprotein metabolism in diabetes through their effects on lipoprotein lipase and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity, plasma half-life and tissue binding.