Preferential in vivo accumulation of sn-2,3-diacylglycerols in postheparin plasma of rats

The stereochemical course of in vivo hydrolysis of triacylglycerols by lipoprotein lipase was investigated by determining the structure of diacylglycerol intermediates in postheparin plasma of rats which had been fed [3H]glycerol-labeled Intralipid 2 h before an injection of heparin or had been given an injection of a mixture of [3H]glycerol-Intralipid and heparin. During the clearance of both the natural chylomicrons and the artificial emulsion, sn-2,3-diacylglycerols (60-80%) were found to be the dominant enantiomers. Similar results were obtained when the contribution of the hepatic lipase was altered, either by tying off the mesentery artery and portal vein before injection of heparin, or by injection of heparin directly into the portal vein. These findings are consistent with a preferential release of the acyl group from the sn-1 position of the triacylglycerol molecule as demonstrated previously in vitro. A preferential orientation of the substrate in the enzyme-substrate complex or at the oil-water interface is discussed as a possible basis for these effects.