Characterization of hyperlipidemia in Nagase analbuminemia rat (NAR)

The mutant analbuminemia rat (NAR) was recently reported by Nagase (1) to spontaneously develop hypercholesterolemia. A detailed lipid analysis was carried out to characterize the hyperlipidemia. The concentrations of major phospholipids as well as cholesterol were increased in plasma, whereas the triacylglycerol level remained unchanged. Free fatty acid and lysophosphatidylcholine levels, on the contrary, declined. The liver lipids were not accumulated, but appeared to be depleted.