—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 7, 1973 32 PSU Researchers Probe Cholesterol New knowledge about the way cholesterol gets its first foothold in the body—the root process of atherosclerosis—has , been developed by scientists at The Pennsylvania State University. It demonstrates that a modest accumulation of cholesterol and other fatty substances is nor mal—and necessary. “Our studies provide further evidence,” says Dr. Stuart Patton, EVan Pugh Research Professor of Agriculture, “that lipids (fats) are essential to the cell’s structure and functioning.” Excessive buildup of such substances, however, can lead to pathologies such as atherosclerosis. Accumulating in the blood vessel walls as “plaque”, fatty materials can constrict those vessels, impede blood circulation and bring on heart attacks and strokes. Patton’s research pinpoints the primary site, the place where the lipids first take hold. “It is the outer membrane of the cell, the so-called plasma membrane Our evidence in dicates that two fatty substances, cholesterol and sphingomyelin, show particular persistence in this layer “They lodge there and they FARMERS-GROWERS Black and Clear Plastic for plant beds Cantelopes, Watermelons, Strawberry Patches Also Plastic Covers for building and crop cover High Pressure Cleaners Portable 700 lb. pressure Cattle Tags and Chains Handy Hoof Trimmers Dairy Vac - Spec. $215 Macs Inflations Mineral Feeders Cattle Dust Bags Electric Fencers THIBENZOLE + TRAMISOL Cattle & Sheep Wormer. TYLAN-10. SP-250, TM-50 Livestock Conditioners. SPRING SPECIAL Discount on Ford Parts DURING MARCH AND APRIL DISCOUNT RAZOR BLADE SHARES 20% SHIN PIECES FOR PLOWS 15% LANDSIDES FOR PLOWS 10% COVER BOARD ASSY. 10% ENGINE OIL FILTERS 15% engine tuneup kits *2.00 off Reg. TRACTOR BATTERIES 15% TRACTOR PAINT 10% LANCASTER FORD TRACTOR, INC. UgH 2166 Willow St. Pike Lancaster, Pa. Ph. 464-2746 stay there, becoming, in fact, a' relatively permanent part of the structure of that layer and defining-some of its properties.” One rather famous plasma membrane—protecting the fibrous portion of a nerve cell—is a case in point. It is called myelin and it forms what is known as the myelin sheath, in this case the mem brane’s special function—to protect the “main line" of the nerve, along which signals are conveyed—is carried out only because lipid has accumulated to the point where it makes up 80 percent of the material in the membrane. Abnotmalities in “myelination” are associated with multiple sclerosis and other diseases of the nervous system. Retention of sphingomyelin in plasma membrane has been observed in research on the liver cell at the Oak Ridge Laboratory. The Patton group studied mammary cells, which make milk Studies of other cells have shown that a high level of the two lipids occurs in plasma mem brane at any given time; the Patton study shows that they are retained. The phenomenon,” says Dr. Patton, “is apparently widespread, not confined to a single cell system.” Patton, who is the principal author of a paper presenting the results in NATURE NEW BIOLOGY, used freshly drawn milk because it is a unique and continuing source of mammary cell plasma membrane. In the milk secretion process small amounts of the mebrane continuously pass from the lactating cell into the milk. By labelling (making radioactive) the phosphorous components of certain lipids in a live, lactating goat the resear chers were able to trace the behavior of those lipids in the outer membrance. While other lipids tend to ’turn over’ and are reduced in quan tity, sphingomyelin and cholesterol show a distinct ten dency to stay in the membrane: they are incorporated as part of its sruclure.” Patton, a specialist on scien tific study of milk, has previously shown that there is a positive correlation between the con- centration of sphingomyelin and cholesterol in membranes. “Indeed, the formation of plasma membrane with its elevated levels of these lipids appears to result from mem brane aging within the cell. “These substances, especially cholesterol, are always building up in artery walls of- adult humans; why this buildup ac celerates in some people remains to be determined.” Studies on live monkeys at the University of Oregon Medical School provided the observation that plasma membrane accumulation appears to be a precursor of atherosclerosis. “Combining these clinical findings with what we have found from the study of cell mem branes,” says Patton, “leads us to postulate that plasma mem brane formation, accumulation, and infiltration with additional cholesterol are early steps in the progression that leads to atherosclerosis.” Aside from throwing new light on the origin of the most widespread of vascular diseases, Dr. Patton’s findings might prove to have additional signficance. It is becoming increasingly evident to the biological com munity that membranes, far In the business of farming, itfs good to know you can depend On USS. Give yourself an edge toward meeting your yield objectives this year. Stop by and see us about our complete range of s USS products and services for crops in this area. USS! You can depend on us. ENOS BUCKWALTER OLD PHILADELPHIA PIKE LANCASTER, PENNA./PHONE. 394-1257 from being merely passive films or layers of material, play a most active part in the production and selective flow of materials, in formation etc. in and between cells. “Any new facts about their nature and behavior could have a significant influence on attempts to conquer various pathological conditions in which whole cells participate.” Co-authors of the paper with Dr. Patton are Dr.’s R.D. Mc- Carthy, P. E. Plants, and R. F. Lee. The research was sup ported, in part, by the National Heart and Lung Institute, USPHS. 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