Lipoproteins and Apolipoprotein Patterns in Rat Plasma after Liver Injury Induced by D-Galactosamine

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Abstract
The effect of galactosamine administration on the concentration and composition of plasma lipoproteins was studied in female rats. After a single i.p. injection of 3.48 mmol galactosamine/kg the following alterations occurred within 24 h: disappearance of .alpha.-lipoproteins as shown by agarose electrophoresis and increase of abnormal lipoproteins in the .beta.- and pre-.beta.-region. These changes corresponded to a 2- to 3-fold increase of VLDL [very low density lipoprotein] and LDL [low density lipoprotein] and a decrease of HDL [high density lipoprotein] to 20-30% of normal after sequential ultracentrifugation. When compared to control animals, galactosamine-treated rats exhibited an abnormal chemical composition of their plasma lipoproteins: A nearly total loss of cholesterol esters, but an increase of free cholesterol and phospholipids, particularly in the LDL and HDL density classes. Moreover, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in 8M urea revealed a clear diminution of all C-apoproteins in the VLDL and HDL density class and a complete disappearance of the A II band in the HDL fraction 24-48 h after galactosamine administration. These lacking apoprotein bands reappeared 72-168 h after galactosamine treatment. The same effects could be obtained by lower doses of galactosamine (2.32 and 1.16 nmol/kg, respectively) which led only to slight increases of hepatocellular enzymes in the plasma. Galactosamine administration in experimental animals apparently leads to profound, but reversible alterations in the synthesis and/or secretion of plasma lipoproteins.