The differentiation of exogenous and endogenous hyperlipemia by paper electrophoresis.

Abstract

The plasma lipo-proteins and "particles" separated by paper electrophoresis in barbital buffer containing 1% albumin have been compared with those separated by starch electrophoreais, polyvinylpyrrolidone gradient flocculation, and the ultracentrifuge. The lipid-protein complexes utilized were obtained from both normal subjects and patients with hyperlipopro-teinemia who were fed diets high in fat or in carbohydrate to produce an increase in plasma glycerides of exogenous or endogenous origin, respectively. The fatty acid content of these glycerides was analyzed after elution from the paper. Chylomicrons, which contain exogenous or alimentary glycerides, remain at the origin on paper and correspond to both primary and secondary particles as defined by starch and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Particles and very low density lipoproteins (D<1.006) containing endogenously synthesized glycerides migrate to the pre-beta position on paper. This simple system makes possible the immediate recognition of fat-induced and "mixed" hyperlipemia; it is a useful adjunct to dietary testing in the establishment of carbohydrate induction of hyperlipemia. It also provides, at minimal expenditure, a useful means to follow and record studies of lipoprotein metabolism.