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.
Adler
L
L
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
Hill
J S
JS
Frohlich
J
J
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