Abstract
Plasma lipoproteins play important roles for lipid homeostasis. Lipoproteins contain triglycerides and cholesteryl ester in the core. The lipoprotein surface is formed by phospholipids and cholesterol, and various apolipoproteins are bound to the surface of lipoprotein particles. Lipid emulsion particles have been used as models for plasma lipoproteins. The lipid emulsions are prepared by the method using a high pressure emulsifier. Compared with plasma lipoproteins, it is easy to alter the lipid composition of emulsion particles and apolipoproteins bound to emulsion surface. Various lipids and proteins affect the lipoprotein metabolism, and are associated with hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. However, the roles of many components of lipoprotein particles are still uncertain. Therefore, lipid emulsions are useful for examining the mechanism of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
