Appearance and characterization of lipoprotein X during continuous intralipid infusions in the neonate

The development of hyperphospholipidemia and hypercholesterolemia was studied in infants that required total parenteral nutrition and given a continuous infusion of Intralipid, (1-4 g/kg body wt per 24 h. Detailed studies were carried out on infusion periods lasting 1-10 d. After 24 h there was a marked increase in plasma free cholesterol (68%) and phospholipid (77%) concentrations. Based on the amount of cholesterol in Intralipid, and the rate of infusion, it was estimated that at least 50% of the plasma cholesterol increment during 64-h infusions was derived from endogenous sources. By contrast, the hyperphospholipidemia could be attributed to the Intralipid as the rise in plasma was calculated to be equivalent to only 16% of the exogenous phospholipid infused. Approximately 10% of the phospholipid in Intralipid was in a triglyceride-free mesophase form with a free cholesterol:phospholipid molar ratio of 0.063. There were no systematic changes in plasma concentrations of cholesterol ester or triglyceride during Intralipid infusions. The increase in free cholesterol and phospholipid was localized in the low density lipoproteins (d = 1.006-1.063 g/ml). The presence of lipoprotein X (Lp-X) in the low density lipoprotein fraction was demonstrated by electrophoresis in agar and by isolation and chemical characterization with hydroxylapatite chromatography. Isoelectric focusing of urea-soluble protein of Lp-X revealed that albumin and apolipoproteins CII and CIII were major components, whereas apolipoprotein E and AI were minor constituents. The abnormal lipoprotein was apparent by 16 h during 64 h of infusion. After 6 d of continuous infusions the free cholesterol in Lp-X was 30+/-10 mg/dl (mean+/-SD), which represents a total Lp-X mass of 90 mg/dl. After cessation of the infusion, Lp-X, as monitored by electrophoresis in agar, disappeared within 72-96 h. Thus, during infusion of Intralipid in infants at rates commonly employed, the capacity of the clearance mechanisms for phospholipid are exceeded, which causes the accumulation of phospholipid and free cholesterol in the form of Lp-X particles. It is suggested that mesophase phospholipids in Intralipid may play a significant role in this process.