D. Oneal et al., FACTORS INFLUENCING LP[A]- PARTICLE-SIZE AS DETERMINED BY GRADIENT GEL-ELECTROPHORESIS, Journal of lipid research, 37(8), 1996, pp. 1655-1663
This study examined factors influencing the particle diameter of Lp[a]
-, the low density lipoprotein (LDL)-like moiety of Lp[a], in 26 subje
cts chosen to provide a range of Lp[a] and triglyceride levels. Lp[a]
and LDL fractions were isolated by vertical density ultracentrifugatio
n. Lp[a] was further purified using a lysine-Sepharose affinity column
and Lp[a]- obtained by incubating Lp[a] with dithiothreitol. Lp[a], L
DL, and Lp[a]- fractions were run on 3-13% gradient gels to determine
particle diameter. Lp[a] size correlated positively with LDL size (r =
0.62; P < 0.001), but the association between Lp[a]- size and LDL siz
e was stronger (r = 0.82; P < 0.0001). Log triglyceride level correlat
ed inversely with Lp[a]- size (r = -0.72; P < 0.0001) and LDL size (r
= -0.69; P < 0.0001). HDL cholesterol level correlated positively with
Lp[a]- size (r = 0.67; P < 0.0005) and LDL size (r = 0.64; P < 0.0005
). The strong correlation between LDL size and Lp[a]- size may be due
to extracellular utilization of circulating LDL in the production of L
p[a] or may reflect the same metabolic processes influencing both thes
e particles once Lp[a] has been formed.