THE CLEARANCE OF LIPIDS FROM THE PLASMA OF A TELEOST FISH, THE BLACK BREAM (ACANTHOPAGRUS-BUTCHERI)

1. Lipid emulsions prepared to mimic the structure and lipid compositi on of plasma lipoproteins were injected into the vascular compartment of the black bream. The pattern of clearance of lipid emulsions from t he plasma in the fish was similar to that in mammals though the time c ourse was slower. In this fish clearance of triglyceride and cholester yl ester reached equilibrium by 6.5 hr. 2. The greatest rate of cleara nce was between 15 min and 2.5 hr. 3. Triglycerides were cleared faste r than cholesteryl ester from the plasma. 4. The percentage of triglyc eride and cholesteryl ester remaining in the plasma at equilibrium in the fish was significantly higher than in mammals. Uptake of cholester yl ester by the liver was much lower. 5. Gel electrophoresis of serum showed that these fish do not have apolipoprotein E. 6. Only 30% of th e triglyceride and 50% of the cholesteryl ester injected could be acco unted for by tissue (muscle, liver and fat) uptake or their presence i n the circulation at equilibrium. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.