Interaction between dextran and human low density lipoproteins (LDL) observed using laser light scattering
C Rühlmann1, M Thieme, M Helmstedt
1Centre of Internal Medicine, Fakultät für Physik und Geowissenschaften, Universität Leipzig, Linnéstrasse 5, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Abstract:
Dextran infusions in humans lead to a reduction of low density lipoproteins (LDL) in the plasma compartment. The interaction of dextran with human LDL was investigated in vitro by static and dynamic light scattering. The experiments were performed with human LDL (apoB concentration 0.75 g l(-1)) and dextran (Mw = 40,000 and 70,000 g mol(-1)) at 25 degrees C. The dextran concentrations after mixing were 10 and 50 g l(-1). The hydrodynamic radius for native LDL was found to be RH = 12.9 nm. The addition of dextran induces the formation of LDL associates with a mean radius of RH approximately 200 nm. These findings show that even non-sulphated polysaccharides interact with LDL. The dextran-dependent formation of LDL associates detected in vitro could be the reason for the in vivo effect of dextran on the lipid metabolism.
