EFFECT OF ALLOXAN-INDUCED CHRONIC DIABETES ON LIPID-COMPOSITION AND LIPOPROTEIN-LIPASE ACTIVITY OF RAT LUNG

The effect of chronic diabetes on lipid composition and LPL activity of rat lung has been investigated in the present study. Triglyceride content increased significantly whereas phospholipids and cholesterol decreased in diabetes when compared to control group, thus resulting in no change in total lipids. The increase in triglycerides appeared nainly due to increased uptake of the circulating triglycerides by the tissue as indicated by the increased activity of LPL, an enzyme responsible for this phenomenon. The possibility of de novo synthesis of this fraction in diabetic lung cannot be ruled out with the present data. The increase in LPL activity could possibly be due to either conversion of inactive to active form of this enzyme or induction of the enzyme by circulating VLDL triglycerides. © 1979.