[Lipids and beta-lipoproteins in hepatic cirrhosis]

The authors carried out a study of serum lipids and beta-lipoproteins using chemical methods commonly available in clinical pathological laboratories. The study was based on 72 men and women who were chemically and clinically healthy and 41 other patients with biopsy confirmed hepatic cirrhosis, clinically decompensated. In cirrhotic patients there is a decrease in lipid and beta-lipoprotein values in serum. In plasma cirrhotics show a decrease in beta-lipoproteins. In addition the beta-lipoprotien molecule has a different make-up in cirrhotics which statistically is significantly altered from that seen in healthy patients. The graphic correlation between cholesterol, phospholipids and esterified fatty acids in serum as well as in beta-lipoproteins shows a different theoretical equation in the healty and cirrhotic patient. The beta-lipoproteins in cirrhotics are less atherogenic than the corresponding molecules in healthy individuals. The results here presented suggest that there is an important quantitative and qualitative alternation in lipid metabolism and in the biosynthesis of plasma lipoproteins in the uncontrolled cirrhotic.