Alterations in lipogenic enzymes and lipoprotein lipase activity during gram-negative sepsis in the rat
S. Lanza-Jacoby, S. C. Lansey, M. P. Cleary and F. E. Rosato
The effects of sepsis on lipid metabolism have not been clearly defined.
This study was designed to observe the changes in adipose tissue
lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) after
administration of Escherichia coli bacteria. Male Lewis rats, weighing 245
to 270 g, were assigned to two groups and fed a powdered chow diet for 14
days. On day 14, one group was inoculated with E coli. Twenty-four hours
later, both groups were killed by decapitation. Serum triglyceride levels
were significantly elevated in the E coli-treated rats. Adipose tissue LPL
and FAS activity was significantly decreased by 50% in E coli-treated rats
compared with the control rats. These results suggest that the elevated
serum triglyceride levels associated with sepsis maybe caused by a
decreased rate of clearance of lipids from the blood and an increased rate
of hepatic lipid synthesis.
