New methods of diagnosing receptor metabolism disturbances of low density lipoproteins

The authors present new approaches to assessment of various aspects of receptor metabolism for low density lipoproteins in patients with atherosclerosis: the ability of lipoproteins to interact with cell receptors in culture in the presence of nonfractionated serum; analysis of the genetically determined number of LDL receptors on culture cells, and the in vivo lipoprotein uptake in the liver. The ability of apo B-containing lipoproteins in patients with atherosclerosis to interact effectively with cell receptors was confirmed, the activity of LDL receptors on cells in cultures from patients with hypercholesterolaemia was analysed, and a decrease in 99mTc-labelled LDL uptake in the liver of patients with the heterozygous form of familial hypercholesterolaemia was demonstrated. The above approaches could be useful in the choice of individual treatment of clinically manifest atherosclerosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.