Biomaterial Database

Influence of age and sex on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and associated enzyme activities in cats. 2001

R F Butterwick, and M McConnell, and P J Markwell, and T D Watson

Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK.

OBJECTIVE To determine effects of age and sex on plasma lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in cats. METHODS 33 kittens and 16 adolescent, 23 adult, and 10 senior cats. METHODS Plasma concentrations of cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoprotein-cholesterol and activities of lipoprotein lipase, hepatic lipase, and lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) were measured and compared within and among groups. RESULTS Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in 5- and 7-week-old kittens, compared with the same kittens after weaning and cats in the other age groups. Cholesterol concentration was significantly less in 20-week-old kittens, compared with adolescent and adult cats. Lipid and lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different among the adolescent, adult, and senior groups, nor did sex influence lipid and lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations in these groups. Activities of lipoprotein and hepatic lipases were significantly less in senior cats, compared with the other groups. Activity of LCAT was highest in 20-week-old kittens and was greater in sexually intact adult and adolescent females, compared with their male counterparts. After castration, activities of hepatic lipase and LCAT significantly decreased in adolescent male cats. CONCLUSIONS The upper limits of reference ranges for plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations should be increased for kittens < 8 weeks of age. Low cholesterol concentrations in adolescent cats likely reflect high tissue demands for growth and steroidogenesis. Decrease in lipoprotein and hepatic lipase activity in senior cats could predispose this age group to hypertriglyceridemia, particularly in insulin-resistant cats or those fed a high fat diet.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007862	Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol O-Acyltransferase	An enzyme secreted from the liver into the plasma of many mammalian species. It catalyzes the esterification of the hydroxyl group of lipoprotein cholesterol by the transfer of a fatty acid from the C-2 position of lecithin. In familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency disease, the absence of the enzyme results in an excess of unesterified cholesterol in plasma.	Lecithin Cholesterol Acyltransferase,Cholesterol Ester Lysolecithin Acyltransferase,Lecithin Acyltransferase,Phosophatidylcholine-Sterol Acyltransferase,Acyltransferase, Lecithin,Acyltransferase, Lecithin Cholesterol,Acyltransferase, Phosophatidylcholine-Sterol,Cholesterol Acyltransferase, Lecithin,O-Acyltransferase, Phosphatidylcholine-Sterol,Phosophatidylcholine Sterol Acyltransferase,Phosphatidylcholine Sterol O Acyltransferase
D008071	Lipoprotein Lipase	An enzyme of the hydrolase class that catalyzes the reaction of triacylglycerol and water to yield diacylglycerol and a fatty acid anion. The enzyme hydrolyzes triacylglycerols in chylomicrons, very-low-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins, and diacylglycerols. It occurs on capillary endothelial surfaces, especially in mammary, muscle, and adipose tissue. Genetic deficiency of the enzyme causes familial hyperlipoproteinemia Type I. (Dorland, 27th ed) EC 3.1.1.34.	Heparin-Clearing Factor,Lipemia-Clearing Factor,Diacylglycerol Lipase,Diglyceride Lipase,Post-Heparin Lipase,Postheparin Lipase,Postheparin Lipoprotein Lipase,Factor, Heparin-Clearing,Factor, Lipemia-Clearing,Heparin Clearing Factor,Lipase, Diacylglycerol,Lipase, Diglyceride,Lipase, Lipoprotein,Lipase, Post-Heparin,Lipase, Postheparin,Lipase, Postheparin Lipoprotein,Lipemia Clearing Factor,Lipoprotein Lipase, Postheparin,Post Heparin Lipase
D008074	Lipoproteins	Lipid-protein complexes involved in the transportation and metabolism of lipids in the body. They are spherical particles consisting of a hydrophobic core of TRIGLYCERIDES and CHOLESTEROL ESTERS surrounded by a layer of hydrophilic free CHOLESTEROL; PHOSPHOLIPIDS; and APOLIPOPROTEINS. Lipoproteins are classified by their varying buoyant density and sizes.	Circulating Lipoproteins,Lipoprotein,Lipoproteins, Circulating
D008076	Cholesterol, HDL	Cholesterol which is contained in or bound to high-density lipoproteins (HDL), including CHOLESTEROL ESTERS and free cholesterol.	High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol,Cholesterol, HDL2,Cholesterol, HDL3,HDL Cholesterol,HDL(2) Cholesterol,HDL(3) Cholesterol,HDL2 Cholesterol,HDL3 Cholesterol,alpha-Lipoprotein Cholesterol,Cholesterol, alpha-Lipoprotein,alpha Lipoprotein Cholesterol
D008078	Cholesterol, LDL	Cholesterol which is contained in or bound to low density lipoproteins (LDL), including CHOLESTEROL ESTERS and free cholesterol.	LDL Cholesterol,Cholesteryl Linoleate, LDL,LDL Cholesteryl Linoleate,Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol,beta-Lipoprotein Cholesterol,Cholesterol, beta-Lipoprotein,beta Lipoprotein Cholesterol
D008297	Male		Males
D012016	Reference Values	The range or frequency distribution of a measurement in a population (of organisms, organs or things) that has not been selected for the presence of disease or abnormality.	Normal Range,Normal Values,Reference Ranges,Normal Ranges,Normal Value,Range, Normal,Range, Reference,Ranges, Normal,Ranges, Reference,Reference Range,Reference Value,Value, Normal,Value, Reference,Values, Normal,Values, Reference
D002369	Castration	Surgical removal or artificial destruction of gonads.	Gonadectomy,Castrations,Gonadectomies
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D002784	Cholesterol	The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.	Epicholesterol