Reduced plasma concentrations of total, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients with Gaucher type I disease

Plasma lipid and serum apoprotein concentrations were determined in twenty-nine individuals with Gaucher type I disease. Plasma total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were all significantly reduced in the patients with Gaucher disease compared to a group of matched control subjects. Total, LDL and HDL cholesterol were lower in males than in females with Gaucher disease. These sex differences appeared to be inversely correlated with the severity of disease manifestations which were greater in the males. Serum levels of apoprotein-B and apoprotein-AI, the major structural apoproteins of LDL and HDL, respectively, were decreased in the subjects with Gaucher disease. Thus, the reductions in LDL and HDL cholesterol were associated with reduced numbers of lipoprotein particles in plasma. In contrast, apoprotein-E, a protein which is secreted by several tissues, including activated macrophages and which may mediate hepatic catabolism of lipoproteins, was elevated in the patients. Since macrophages may also catabolize lipoproteins, Gaucher disease may serve as a model for the effect of activated macrophages upon human lipoprotein metabolism.
This work was supported by the following grants: USPHS HL 23077, HD 07105, HL 25752, CA 31656 and RR-71 from the National Institutes of Health; 1–273 and 1–578 from the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation; grant from the New York Heart Assocation. Dr. Ginsberg is a recipient of a Research Career Development Award HL 00949 and is an Irma T. Hirschl Career Scientist. Dr. Grabowski is a recipient of a Clinical Investigator Award HD 00386.