Investigations on the mechanism of hypercholesterolemia observed in copper deficiency in rats.

The mechanism of hypercholesterolemia effect of Cu2+ deficiency was studied in rats. There was increased activity of hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and increased incorporation of labelled acetate into free cholesterol of liver in the Cu2+ deficient rats. Incorporation of label into ester cholesterol was however decreased in the liver. Concentration of bile acids in the liver was not significantly altered. Increase in the incorporation of labelled acetate into serum cholesterol and increase in the concentration of cholesterol and apo B in the low density lipoproteins + very low density lipoproteins fractions were observed. Activity of lipoprotein lipase of the extrahepatic tissues decreased in the Cu 2+ deficient rats.