POSTPRANDIAL VLDL SUBFRACTION METABOLISM IN NORMAL AND OBESE SUBJECTS

The metabolic behaviour of very low density lipoprotein subfractions S (f) 60-400 (VLDL1) and S(f) 20-60 (VLDL2) was studied in five normal w eight and five obese subjects following an overnight fast and after th e consumption of a mixed meal. The VLDL1 showed increases in triacylgl ycerol (TG) and cholesterol concentrations after the meal, while the V LDL2 response was much smaller. The obese individuals had higher conce ntrations of TG, apolipoprotein B and cholesterol in both VLDL subfrac tions, but when the TG and cholesterol were expressed in terms of thei r content per VLDL particle, there was no difference between control a nd obese subjects. The abnormality in the obese group was identified a s an elevated number of VLDL particles, of normal composition, which m ay predispose these individuals to coronary heart disease.