Chylomicron "remnants" are formed by the selective removal of
triglyceride catalyzed by
lipoprotein lipase. To investigate a possible defect in the clearance of these remnants in the pathophysiology of
broad-beta disease (
type III hyperlipoproteinemia), subjects with this disorder and comparison subjects with endogenous
hypertriglyceridemia (and type IV
lipoprotein patterns) ingested an oral fat load (
corn oil:
cocoa butter, 1:1, 50 g/sq M) containing
retinyl ester, 100 mg, with or without 15 muCi 15-(14) C-
retinol (43.7 mCi/mg). The content of
triglyceride and
vitamin A was sequentially determined in
chylomicrons (Sf more than 400) and
very low density lipoproteins (VLDS, Sf20-400) over the ensuing 24-72 hr.
Vitamin A was chosen as a marker for exogenous
sterol assimilation since, like
cholesterol, it is absorbed in the small intestine and cosecreted in esterified form with
triglyceride in the
chylomicron core; however, unlike
cholesterol, once having been removed by the liver, it cannot be recycled inot VLDL, but subsequently circulates only as a complex with the high density
retinol binding protein. Thus measurements of the
vitamin A/
triglyceride ratio in Sf greater than 20
lipoproteins reflected the relative efficiency of
vitamin A versus
triglyceride removal within these
lipoproteins. These studies confirmed the intital concentration of exogenous
vitamin A in
chylomicrons but invariably disclosed an increasing proportion of the remaining Sf greater than 20
vitamin A in VLDL 24 hr after its ingestion. The
vitamin A/
triglyceride ratio also invariably increased between 6 and 24 hr in the Sf20-30 subfraction, reflecting the formation of
vitamin A-rich "remnants" as intermediate species in the catabolism of
chylomicrons and VLDL. Among those with mild to moderate endogenous
hypertriglyceridemia the Sf greater than 400
vitamin A/
triglyceride ratio declined between 6 and 24 hr, reflecting the efficient passage of the
vitamin A through this fraction and/or continued secretion of Sf greater than 400 particles rich in
triglyceride. Among those with severe endogenous
hypertriglyceridemia, both the peak and decline in the Sf greater than 400
vitamin A/
triglyceride ratio were delayed. However, among those with
broad-beta disease, an increasing
vitamin A/
triglyceride ratio between 6 and 24 hr was frequent within all VLDL subfractions and invariable among
lipoproteins of Sf greater than 400 regardless of the degree of antecedent
hypertriglyceridemia. Although additional experiments disclosed a similar delay in both
vitamin A and
triglyceride assimilation when basal
triglyceride levels were high in these subjects, marked reduction of
triglyceride levels did not correct the rise in the Sf greater than 400
vitamin A/
triglyceride ratio between 6 and 24 hr. Experiments employing preparative electrophoresis confirmed the identity of VLDL containing a high
vitamin A/
triglyceride ratio with the
beta-VLDL which accumulate in
broad-beta disease...