Chemical precipitation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins facilitates determination of LDL particle size.
OBJECTIVE
To simplify the determination of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size by eliminating the need for ultracentrifugation.


METHODS
We compared LDL particle size determination by gradient gel electrophoresis using two different methods for separation of LDL: (a) by ultracentrifugation with a density between 1.019 and 1.063 g/mL, and (b) by precipitation of the apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins from plasma. LDL particle size was determined for 41 individuals using both methods.


RESULTS
The correlation between these two methods was r = 0.98; peak particle diameter (nm) was reproducible with a coefficient of variation of 1. 3% for LDL separated by ultracentrifugation and 1.4% for LDL prepared by precipitation. The intra-assay variation within a single gel was 0.2%.


CONCLUSIONS
Elimination of the need for ultracentrifugation or lipid staining significantly reduces the cost and simplifies the procedure of LDL particle sizing. As a result, larger patient populations can be more readily screened for the determination of LDL particle size.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Atherosclerosis Specialty Laboratory, St. Paul's Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. ladler@unixg.ubc.ca
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L
Adler
J S
JS
Hill
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J
Frohlich
D000328:Adult; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000032:analysis*; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D003720:Densitometry; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014461:Ultracentrifugation
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL