This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.Increased fasting serum triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. However, triglyceride levels in the postprandial state are a more sensitive marker of coronary artery disease. Postprandial elevations in triglycerides result from a decrease in the catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, i.e. chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). This leads to an accumulation of anthrogenic remnants of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Although fasting triglycerides are the best predictors of postprandial triglycerides, differences in fasting triglycerides only partially account for the variation in magnitude of postprandial triglycerides. Our long-range goal is to understand, at the molecular level, the changes in lipoprotein metabolism that lead to cardiovascular disease. Recently, we have identified a new protein involved in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein catabolism, glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD). Serum GPI-PLD is associated with high density lipoproteins (HDL) in the fasting state and exchange onto VLDL in the postprandial state. Hepatic GPI-PLD decreases triglyceride-rich lipoprotein catabolism in the liver. Hepatic and serum GPI-PLD levels are decreased by peroxisome proliferator receptor (PPAR) ? agonist treatment, which also reduces fasting and postprandial triglycerides.
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