Effect of copper deficiency on rat hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme a reductase

Journal Article · Thu Feb 09 04:00:00 EST 1989 · FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA)

OSTI ID:6832916

Yount, N Y; McNamara, D J; Al-Othman, A A; Lei, K Y ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Arizona, Tucson (USA)

The effect of copper deficiency on hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the key enzyme regulating cholesterol biosynthesis, was investigated in the rat. Male weanling rats were fed synthetic diets containing copper levels of 6.5 ppm (adequate), 1.6 ppm (marginal) and 0.9 ppm (deficient) for 7 wks. At sacrifice plasma lipids, hepatic cholesterol, and hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, both total and active forms, were determined. Consistent with previous findings, plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly elevated, 26% and 104% respectively, in copper deficient rats. Copper deficiency resulted in a significant decrease in hepatic total cholesterol levels. This change was due to decreased free cholesterol levels since cholesterol ester remained unchanged. Total HMg-CoA reductase was significantly elevated 2-fold with copper deficiency while the active form of the enzyme was not changed. This increase in reductase activity due to copper deficiency corresponds with the expected induction response to decreased hepatic cholesterol levels observed in this study. These data support the theory that copper deficiency results in a hyper-cholesterolemic state in the rat associated with increased hepatic cholesterol synthesis.

• OSTI ID: 6832916
• Journal Information: FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA), Journal Name: FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA) Vol. 3:3; ISSN FAJOE; ISSN 0892-6638
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BODY
CHOLESTEROL
COPPER
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
GLANDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
LIVER
MAMMALS
METALS
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXIDOREDUCTASES
RATS
REACTION KINETICS
RODENTS
STEROIDS
STEROLS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VERTEBRATES