[Distribution of lipoprotein fractions in men with arteriosclerosis obliterans]

The fasting serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were determined in fifty male patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) confirmed by angiography. Twenty five of the patients were hyperlipidemic and significantly elevated concentration of atherogenic lipoproteins could be demonstrated compared to age matched control group of healthy subjects (n = 20). The HDL-cholesterol level in the patient group was significantly decreased even if comparing normolipemic patients to controls. In the postprandial phase of cholesterol loading (600 mg) the serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels did not change in both groups. A marked increase in serum total triglyceride, VLDL-cholesterol and VLDL/HDL-cholesterol ratio was detected and the differences between the two groups regarding these lipoprotein fractions were increased. The importance of cholesterol-rich VLDL in ASO and its relationship to familial dysbetalipoproteinemia are discussed.