Transfer of human lymph chylomicron constituents to other lipoprotein density fractions during in vitro lipolysis

To ascertain whether chylomicron constituents would be transferred to low density lipoprotein (LDL, d 1.019-1.063 g/ml) and high density lipoprotein (HDL, d 1.063-1.21 g/ml) density fractions during lipolysis in the absence of other lipoproteins, the in vitro effect of bovine milk lipoprotein lipase on human thoracic duct lymph chylomicrons in the presence of albumin was examined. In incubations without lipase, over 90% of chylomicron constituents remained in the 1.006 g/ml supernate, and large particles ranging in diameter mainly from 750-6000 A were observed by electron microscopy. After the addition of lipase, lipolysis ranged from 69.0-94.6% and numerous collapsed particles with redundant surface were seen, as well as smaller particles within the LDL and HDL density region. With lipolysis, the majority of chylomicron cholesterol and phospholipid mass was transferred to LDL and HDL, while chylomicron apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, A-II, and C-II mass was transferred mainly to HDL. Utilizing either radioiodinated apoA-I and apoA-II reassociated with chylomicrons or radiolabeled chylomicrons, a similar redistribution of apoA-I and apoA-II radioactivity was noted with lipolysis. In contrast, chylomicron apoB (mainly B-48) radioactivity was transferred predominantly to LDL with lipolysis. These data are consistent with the concept that during lymph chylomicron triglyceride hydrolysis, chylomicron apolipoproteins, cholesterol, and phospholipid can be transferred to the LDL and HDL density regions in the absence of acceptor particles.