Abstract
Objective : A high level of small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, because there are technical limitations in measuring LDL particle diameter under the present conditions, results of diameter measurements cannot be utilized in medical care.
We hypothesized that measurements of LDL relative mobility (LDL-RM) by agarose gel electrophoresis would yield useful information on qualitative alterations to LDL particles, similar to the information obtained from particle diameter measurements.
Materials and Methods : We measured LDL particle diameter and LDL-RM for 4 groups : 1) normal subjects, 2) hypertriglyceridemia cases, 3) diabetes and normolipidemia cases, and 4) diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia cases.
Results : We found a good correlation between LDL particle size and LDL-RM in all 4 groups. Furthermore, to understand the qualitative changes in LDL particles, LDL-RM showed more distinguishable results than LDL size measurements.
Conclusion : Measuring LDL-RM by agarose gel electrophoresis is a useful way to evaluate qualitative changes in LDL particles, and we expect that the technique can be developed as a clinical laboratory test.
