14C-cholesterol distribution and cholesterol content of various tissues in different applied conditions in rats
Rao, A.V.; Ramakrishnan, S.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 20(8): 606-611
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5189 PMID: 7173993 Document Number: 190137
14C-cholesterol distribution and cholesterol content were investigated in different tissues of albino rats under physiological (aging); nutritional (sucrose and Bengal gram feeding); drug addiction (chronic alcohol intake); pathological (experimental hypothyroidism and diabetes) and therapeutic (clofibrate treatment) aspects. Hydroxymethyl glutaryl [HMG] CoA reductase activity was estimated in liver, kidneys and small intestines. During aging there was increased cholesterol content in the aorta and adrenals, with no change in other tissues. The 14C-cholesterol distribution was increased in the small intestines and adrenals with a decrease in other tissues studied. In sucrose feeding, cholesterol content of plasma and aorta was increased but decreased in small intestines, kidneys and adrenals. 14C-cholesterol distribution was increased in small intestines but decreased in liver, testes, adrenals, aorta and plasma. As small intestines had increased 14C-distribution and decreased content, it might contribute to the hypercholesterolemia. Bengal gram feeding reduced the cholesterol content of plasma and small intestines, while the 14C-cholesterol distribution was decreased in liver and small intestines. In alcohol consumption, the cholesterol content of plasma, liver, kidneys, testes, adrenals, heart and aorta and 14C-cholesterol distribution of liver were increased. In this condition liver appears to contribute to hypercholesterolemia, 14C-cholesterol distribution was decreased in small intestines, testes, adrenals, heart and plasma. In alloxan diabetes, the cholesterol content of liver, small intestines, kidneys, testes, adrenals, heart and aorta was increased while the 14C-cholesterol distribution was decreased in plasma and all the tissues studied except kidneys. In experimental hypothyroidism, the cholesterol content of liver, small intestines, testes, heart, aorta and plasma was increased while the 14C-cholesterol distribution was decreased in all the tissues and plasma. In clofibrate treatment there was a decrease of cholesterol content in liver, kidneys and testes with an increase in adrenals. 14C-cholesterol distribution was decreased in plasma and all the tissue studied except heart. Changes in HMG-CoA reductase activity of liver, small intestines and kidneys were as anticipated in many instances. In different applied conditions all the tissues do not respond equally in cholesterol distribution, content and secretion to the blood.