Origin and Fate of Cholesterol in Rat Plasma Lipoproteins in vivo

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Abstract
After a single ingestion of a diet containing 14C-cholesterol, cholesterol radioactivity in the stomachal and intestinal contents, in the different organs and in the very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicrons was measured at different times during 2 days. Based on the results, a quantitative model of cholesterol absorption and of its release into the VLDL and chylomicrons has been elaborated. This model takes into account the different processes implied in the turnover of intestinal cholesterol and that of the entire organism. It constitutes a coherent whole (satisfactory simulations for the variables studied, suitable mass balances for each compartment and the absence of major contradictions with preexisting quantitative data). Once again the model demonstrates the important part played by the intestine in rat cholesterol system dynamics. It takes into account the existence of two related exogenous and endogenous cholesterol pools from which the cholesterol released by the intestine into the chylomicrons and VLDL originates. The results suggest the existence of an important esterified cholesterol uptake from other plasma lipoproteins by the chylomicrons.