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Updated: Aug 22, 2025

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation
Published on: January 28, 2021
Human lipoproteins comprise at least 12 different classes that are lognormally distributed
Tomokazu Konishi1, Risako Fujiwara2,3, Tadaaki Saito1
1Graduate School of Bioresource Sciences, Akita Prefectural University, Akita, Japan.
Abstract:
This study presents the results of HPLC, a gentler and rapid separation method in comparison with the conventional ultracentrifugation, for 55 human serum samples. The elution patterns were analysed parametrically, and the attribute of each class was confirmed biochemically. Human samples contained 12 classes of lipoproteins, each of which may consist primarily of proteins. There are three classes of VLDLs. The level of each class was distributed lognormally, and the standard amount and the 95% range were estimated. Some lipoprotein classes with a narrow range could become ideal indicators of specific diseases. This lognormal character suggests that the levels are controlled by the synergy of multiple factors; multiple undesirable lifestyle habits may drastically increase the levels of specific lipoprotein classes. Lipoproteins in medical samples have been measured by enzymatic methods that coincide with conventional ultracentrifugation; however, the high gravity and time required for ultracentrifugation can cause sample degradation. Actually, the enzymatic methods measured the levels of several mixed classes. The targets of enzymatic methods have to be revised.
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