T hese studies were undertaken to determine the kinetic characteristics of high density lipoprotein (HDL) apo AI and cholesteryl ester transport in the hamster in vivo. Saturable HDL apo AI transport was demonstrated in the kidneys, adrenal glands, and liver. Saturable HDL cholesteryl ester transport was highest in the adrenal glands and liver. In the liver and adrenal glands, maximal transport rates (J(m)) for receptor dependent uptake were similar for the protein and cholesteryl ester moieties; however, the concentration of HDL necessary to achieve half-maximal transport (K(m)) was 20- to 30-fold higher for apo AI. Consequently, at normal plasma HDL concentrations, the clearance of HDL cholesteryl ester exceeded that of HDL apo AI by approximately 10-fold in the adrenal glands and by approximately fivefold in the liver. At normal HDL concentrations, the majority of HDL cholesteryl ester (76%) was cleared by the liver whereas the majority of HDL apo AI (77%) was cleared by extrahepatic tissues. The rate of HDL cholesteryl ester uptake by the liver equaled the rate of cholesterol acquisition by all extrahepatic tissues suggesting that HDL cholesteryl ester uptake by the liver accurately reflects the rate of "reverse cholesterol transport." Receptor dependent HDL cholesteryl ester uptake by the liver was maximal (saturated) at normal plasma HDL concentrations. Consequently, changes in plasma HDL concentrations are not accompanied by parallel changes in the delivery of HDL cholesteryl ester to the liver unless the number or affinity of transporters is also regulated.