Low postheparin plasma hepatic lipase activity in familial type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia

A subnormal activity of postheparin plasma hepatic lipase was demonstrated in nine of 16 patients with familial type II hypercholesterolemia. On the other hand, in patients with combined hyperlipidemia (type II b) the hepatic lipase activity was mostly in upper normal range. The postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase activity was normal in both patient groups. It is suggested that the low hepatic lipase activity may have a role in the patholgenesis of one form of familial hypercholesterolemia.