Serum lipoprotein profiles and its structural changes isolated by isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation in liver cirrhosis

Abstract

To investigate serum lipoprotein abnormalities in liver cirrhosis, we have employed isopycnic density gradient ultracentrifugation to separate the lipoproteins (d. 1.019-1.210g/ml) into its subclasses. The results were as follows.
1) In the lipoprotein profiles, low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL)₂ in liver cirrhosis shifted to lower density than those of normal controls.
2) Patients with liver cirrhosis had a significant increase in triglycerides in all of lipoprotein subclasses and in phospholipids in HDL and a reciprocal change about protein in HDL. In addtion, a significant decrease in cholesteryl ester in LDL and HDL₂, particularly in LDL, was observed,
3) In cirrhotics, there was a significant increase in HDL₂-Apo A-I/A-II ratio which was same as in serum.
4) HDL₂ in liver cirrhosis possessed small amounts of Apo B which were usually undetectable in normal controls.