EFFECT OF LIPID-CONTENT OF DIET ON CHOLESTEROL CONTENT AND CHOLESTEROGENIC ENZYMES OF EUROPEAN EEL LIVER

The effect of dietary lipid levels on the levels of cholesterol and th e activities of the major cholesterogenic enzymes of the liver has bee n studied in the European eel. An increase in hepatic total cholestero l was observed when the dietary lipid levels increased from 12 to 20%, while protein levels were maintained at 30%. This change paralleled a n increase in mevalonate 5-pyrophosphate decarboxylase activity, while 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, mevalonate kinase and meval onate 5-phosphate kinase were not affected by changes in diet composit ion. These results suggest that the decarboxylase may be a rate-limiti ng enzyme in cholesterogenesis in eel liver.