The association of hepatic apoprotein and lipid metabolism in hamsters and rats.

1. The hamster liver but not that of the rat, secretes VLDL containing only apoprotein B100. Apoprotein B48 was identified in mesenteric lymph of hamsters and therefore plasma apoprotein B48 is of intestinal origin. 2. Male hamster livers secrete less free cholesterol but similar cholesterol ester than male rats resulting in a higher CE/FC ratio in hamsters. 3. Hepatic VLDL from male hamsters contain more apo B and E while that from females contains more TG and apo A-II/C. 4. Hamsters fed high-C diets secrete more hepatic VLDL-apoprotein B, -free and -cholesterol ester, and biliary cholesterol.