Abstract
Plasma α1-lipoprotein and HDL-cholesterol were studied in coronary heart disease (CHD). HDL-cholesterol was determined by enzymatic method of cholesterol when LDL and VLDL were precipitated with use of MgCl2 and dextran sulfate.
α1-lipoprotein was assayed rocket immuno-electrophoresis with use of the special antiserum.
The following results were obtained;
1) In a healthy control group, HDL-free cholesterol level was found to be higher in females than in males, particularly in the aged population over fifty-year-old.
2) In a CHD group, total cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesterol ester ratio in the HDL fraction were found to be lower than those in the control group.
Significant reduction in HDL-cholesterol/α1-lipoprotein ratio was also observed in the CHD group. These results strongly suggest some qualititative changes of the plasma HDL obtained from patients with CHD.
3) In 4 out of 7 cases who showed the high HDL-cholesterol levels over 60mg/dl, the low ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol was observed.
4) HDL-cholesterol level was elevated one week after the first onset of acute myocardial infarction, despite reduction in α1-lipoprotein level. The discrepancy may be due to intravenous injection of heparin which was usually done for 3 days after the onset.
