The charge and atherogenicity of low density lipoproteins

It is concluded on the basis of literature data, that apolipoprotein B-100 is the most high-molecular, hydrophobic, and positive charged protein compared to the other apoproteins of the plasma lipoproteins. Low density lipoproteins of healthy subjects, mainly containing apo B-100, have little heterogeneity on both charge and isoelectric point, in spite of heterogeneity on sizes and apolipoprotein composition. The reason of formation of subfraction with elevated negative charge is the damage with the free radicals and/or aldehydes. The reason of formation of more cationized subfraction is unclear. LDL charge changes are noted in some diseases and syndromes (ischemic heart diseases, familial hyper-alpha-lipoproteinemia, Tangier disease, X-bound ichthyosis and, possibly, others). Some IHD patients treatment with antioxidants leads to the disappearance of negative charged LDL subfraction, that shows participation of peroxidation products in their formation. Electrical characteristics of LDL of tissue fluids and of aorta wall differ essentially from those of the same class plasma lipoproteins. Lipid peroxidation and influences of several enzymes play the main role in these differences.