Abstract
Non-activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes did not degrade apo A proteins in high density lipoproteins in vitro, although it affected amyloid A proteins significantly. In contrast, leukocytes activated by phorbol myristate acetate metabolized all kinds of apoproteins in the lipoprotein, whether they had amyloid A proteins or not. The metabolic rates of amyloid A proteins and apo C-III were very rapid compared with those of apo A proteins.In contrast, lipid moieties of high density lipoproteins were hardly affected, with the exception of triglycerides, from incubation with either non-activated leukocytes and then lipoprotein particles were considered to become lipid-rich.
These results suggest the possibility that high density lipoproteins could be metabolized in acute phases by activated leukocytes in circulating blood as well as through usual metabolic pathways.
