THE DEVELOPMENT OF FATTY LIVER IS ACCELERATED IN TRANSGENIC MICE EXPRESSING CYNOMOLGUS MONKEY CHOLESTERYL ESTER TRANSFER PROTEIN

Expression of cynomolgus monkey cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CE TP) in C57BL/6 mice has been shown to have a profound effect on the li poprotein profile in those animals. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of CETP expression on the hepatic lipids of the CE TP transgenic mice. The triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipid com position of livers from 6- and 12-month-old transgenic mice were evalu ated and compared with those of age-matched C57BL/6 mice. Statistical analysis indicated that fatty liver was more severe in CETP transgenic mice than C57BL/6 controls (p<0.01); progressed with age (p<0.01); an d developed more rapidly in males than females (p<0.01). The lipid tha t accumulated was triglyceride. These data indicate that CETP expressi on accelerates the development of fatty liver in the C57BL/6 mouse and raise the possibility that CETP may also contribute to the process of hepatic steatosis in man. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.