New aspects on heparin and lipoprotein metabolism

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) are two enzymes which participate in metabolism of plasma lipoproteins. The enzymes are located at vascular surfaces and are released from their binding sites on injection of heparin. In this paper we give a short overview of the structure of the lipases and their role in lipoprotein metabolism. Earlier studies had shown that low molecular weight (LMW) heparin preparations result in lower LPL activities in blood than do corresponding amounts of conventional heparin. Studies with organ perfusion in rats show that the two types of heparin have similar ability to release the lipases from their binding sites in extrahepatic tissues, but that LMW heparin is less effective than conventional heparin in preventing rapid uptake and degradation of LPL by the liver. After injection of heparin the metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins is initially accelerated, presumably as a result of the high levels of circulating LPL. Then follows a phase when lipoprotein metabolism is slower than normal, perhaps because endothelial LPL has been depleted by accelerated transport to and degradation in the liver.