Lipid Metabolism of Myocardial Endothelial Cells

The vascular endothelium can be regarded as a widely distributed organ, interposed between the intravascular and extravascular spaces, with a pluripotent function in the regulation of capillary diameter, vascular homeostasis, lipoprotein metabolism and the vascular response to injury. In the basal physiological state these processes provide a non-thrombotic, non-inflammatory vascular lining preventing uncontrolled inflammation and coagulation. Endothelial cells respond to potential harmful conditions (mechanical stress, anoxia, ischemia and oxidative stress) and a variety of hormones and vasoactive mediators by inducing coagulation and production of inflammatory mediators through the production of 'bioactive' lipids. Although the number of studies in isolated myocardial endothelial cells is limited, from the presumed metabolic analogy with endothelial cells isolated (and cultured) from other organs, one may conclude that the bioactive lipids include oxygenated arachidonate metabolites (eicosanoids) and the platelet activating factor (1--O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine; PAF). All aspects of lipid metabolism, related to the production of eicosanoids and PAF, are present within myocardial endothelial cells. There is uptake and incorporation of fatty acids by endothelial cells and liberation from endogenous triacylglycerol and (membrane) phospholipid stores by (phospho)lipases. Endothelial cells oxidize fatty acids in a carnitine-dependent, mitochondrial, pathway. Endothelial cells actively interact with high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) leading to uptake of cholesterol(esters) that undergo intracellular hydrolysis, and re-esterification to phospho- and neutral lipids, and leaving the LDL-particle modified in a way that makes them bind to the scavenger receptor on macrophages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)