L. Adler et al., Chemical precipitation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins facilitates determination of LDL particle size, CLIN BIOCH, 33(3), 2000, pp. 187-190
Objectives: To simplify the determination of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
particle size by eliminating the need for ultracentrifugation.
Design and 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 pla
sma. LDL particle size was determined for 41 individuals using both methods
.
Results: The correlation between these two methods was r = 0.98; peak parti
cle diameter (nm) was reproducible with a coefficient of variation of 1.3%
for LDL separated by ultracentrifugation and 1.4% for LDL prepared by preci
pitation. The intra-assay variation within a single gel was 0.2%.
Conclusion: Elimination of the need for ultracentrifugation or lipid staini
ng significantly reduces the cost and simplifies the procedure of LDL parti
cle sizing. As a result, larger patient populations can be more readily scr
eened for the determination of LDL particle size. copyright (C) 2000 The Ca
nadian Society of Clinical Chemists.