[Crystallization effects in serum high density lipoproteins]

Peculiarities of aggregation in the samples of high density serum lipoproteins LHD2 and LHD3 obtained from healthy donors and patients with ishaemic heart disease were studied under isothermal exposition. It was found that lipoprotein samples from defective serum were characterized by chemical and structural inhomogeneity. It is reflected in the formation of spherolites of various types and of well-grown dendrite forms. Growth of stepped lens-shaped crystals of cholesterol takes place in the normal serum LHD3 preparations after long exposition. Crystal growth is thought to begin according to dislocational mechanism on linear defects existing in the liquid crystalline phase; then transformation to kinetically rough surface and to normal growth of the face occurs with the concentration increase.