Turnover of plasma total and very low density lipoprotein triglyceride in man

Basal plasma total triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglyceride turnover rates were determined in 110 subjects whose triglyceride concentrations ranged from low normal to markedly elevated values. The mean total triglyceride turnover rate was 13.7 mg - kg-1- hr-1, whereas the mean VLDL triglyceride turnover rate was 13.2 mg - kg-1 - hr-1. A highly significant correlation was present between the two turnover rates (r equal + 0.75). The endogenous serum triglyceride transported in the other lipoproteins (LDL and HDL) may account for more than half of the circulating triglyceride mass, but its significance in the total triglyceride transport is small. In a selected subgroup of 31 healthy subjects the plasma VLDL triglyceride concentration did not exceed 160 mg/100 ml. The range of this group's triglyceride turnover rate was completely comparable with most data reported in the literature for total serum or VLDL triglyceride transport in normal human subjects. When the turnover rate was plotted against the VLDL triglyceride concentration, three kinetic subgroups could be separated in accordance with the earlier experience on total serum triglyceride transport kinetics.