Alkaline sphingomyelinase (NPP7) promotes cholesterol absorption by affecting sphingomyelin levels in the gut: A study with NPP7 knockout mice

We previously showed that dietary sphingomyelin (SM) inhibited cholesterol absorption in animals. The key enzyme hydrolyzing SM in the gut is alkaline sphingomyelinase (alk-SMase, nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 7). Here using the fecal dual-isotope ratio method we compared cholesterol absorption in the wild-type (WT) and alk-SMase knockout (KO) mice. The animals were fed an emulsion containing [C-14] cholesterol and [H-3] sitosterol. The radioactivities in the lipids of the fecal samples collected 4, 8, and 24 h thereafter were determined, and the ratio of C-14/H-3 was calculated. We found that the fecal [C-14] cholesterol recovery in the KO mice was significantly higher than in the WT mice. A maximal 92% increase occurred 8 h after feeding. Recovery of [H-3] sitosterol did not differ between the two groups. Accordingly, the C-14-to-H-3 ratio of fecal lipids was 133% higher at 8 h and 75% higher at 24 h in the KO than in the WT mice. Decreased [C-14] cholesterol was also found in the serum of the KO mice 4 h after feeding. Supplement of SM in the emulsion reduced the differences in fecal [C-14] cholesterol recovery between the WT and KO mice because of a greater increase of [C-14] cholesterol recovery in the WT mice. Without treatment, the KO mice had significantly higher SM levels in the intestinal content and feces, but not in the intestinal mucosa or serum. The expression of Niemann-Pick C1 like 1 protein in the small intestine was not changed. In conclusion, alk-SMase is a physiological factor promoting cholesterol absorption by reducing SM levels in the intestinal lumen.