Anacetrapib promotes reverse cholesterol transport and bulk cholesterol excretion in Syrian golden hamsters

J Lipid Res. 2011 Nov;52(11):1965-73. doi: 10.1194/jlr.M016410. Epub 2011 Aug 14.

Abstract

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl ester (CE) and triglyceride between HDL and apoB-containing lipoproteins. Anacetrapib (ANA), a reversible inhibitor of CETP, raises HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and lowers LDL cholesterol in dyslipidemic patients; however, the effects of ANA on cholesterol/lipoprotein metabolism in a dyslipidemic hamster model have not been demonstrated. To test whether ANA (60 mg/kg/day, 2 weeks) promoted reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), ³H-cholesterol-loaded macrophages were injected and (3)H-tracer levels were measured in HDL, liver, and feces. Compared to controls, ANA inhibited CETP (94%) and increased HDL-C (47%). ³H-tracer in HDL increased by 69% in hamsters treated with ANA, suggesting increased cholesterol efflux from macrophages to HDL. ³H-tracer in fecal cholesterol and bile acids increased by 90% and 57%, respectively, indicating increased macrophage-to-feces RCT. Mass spectrometry analysis of HDL from ANA-treated hamsters revealed an increase in free unlabeled cholesterol and CE. Furthermore, bulk cholesterol and cholic acid were increased in feces from ANA-treated hamsters. Using two independent approaches to assess cholesterol metabolism, the current study demonstrates that CETP inhibition with ANA promotes macrophage-to-feces RCT and results in increased fecal cholesterol/bile acid excretion, further supporting its development as a novel lipid therapy for the treatment of dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic vascular disease.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Cholesterol / chemistry
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / metabolism
  • Cricetinae
  • Dyslipidemias / metabolism
  • Feces
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / metabolism
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Oxazolidinones / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Oxazolidinones
  • Cholesterol
  • anacetrapib