Serum beta-lipoprotein subfractions in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis associated with coronary heart disease

Subfractions of beta-lipoprotein occurred more frequently in serum from patients with coronary heart disease than in serum from patients with no sign of coronary heart disease. Two beta-lipoprotein subfractions were observed in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The sera containing a beta-lipoprotein subfraction with a position close to the beta-lipoprotein band showed Lp(a) antigenic properties. Triglycerides were raised in the sera with beta-lipoprotein subfractions. The cholesterol level was significantly higher in the coronary heart disease group but was not correlated to the presence of the beta-lipoprotein subfraction. The beta-lipoprotein subfraction may possibly represent an additional risk factor in the genesis of coronary heart disease, even in the absence of other hyperlipoproteinemias.