MOLECULAR ACOUSTIC AS A NEW TOOL FOR THE STUDY OF BIOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF LIPOPROTEINS

The method of measurement of velocity and absorption of ultrasound at a fixed frequency (7.2 MHz) and measurement of density were used to st udy the physical properties of high-(HDL3) and low-(LDL) density lipop roteins. We found substantial changes in velocity number [u] and absor ption number [alpha lambda] on temperature, which reflect structural c hanges in the hydrophobic core of LDL at the thermotropic-phase transi tion. The absorption number revealed broad changes in temperature for both classes of lipoproteins (LP). The density of LP also depends on t emperature but in considerably less degree than the acoustic parameter s. The values of acoustic parameters were determined, showing that LDL and HDL3 greatly differ with respect to adiabatic compressibility. (C ) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.