[Lipoproteins and lipids of human dental plaque]

Host-derived lipoproteins have not yet-been detected in human dental plaque. In this microarea only lipids and lipoprotein polysaccharides known to derive from gram-positive and gram-negative bacterias, were detected. The results of this work show that in human dental plaque there are some components analogous to human serum lipoproteins. The presence of alpha-lipoproteins was established, while beta-lipoproteins could not be detected. The studies of lipids in plaque show that plaque samples contain lipid components similar of serum free cholesterol, free fatty acids, three glycerides and cholesterol esters. Phospholipids were present in extremely small amounts. The results were discussed from the aspect of the possible origin of these lipoprotein constituents as well as from the aspect of specificity and sensitivity of procedures applied in their detection.