[Changes in the structure of atherogenic lipoproteins in experimental atherosclerosis]

Lipoproteins were isolated, using preparative ultracentrifugation, from blood plasma of rabbits with alimentary hypercholesterolemia. Alterations in the lipoprotein structure were studied by means of light-dispersion, intrinsic fluorescence of the protein component in lipoproteins and by fluorescence of probes--I-aniline naphthalene-8-sulfonate and pyrene. The structural alterations consisted in an increase of size of the lipoproteins of very low density, elevated viscosity of the lipid phase of lipoproteins of low and very low density as well as in occurrence of additional positively charged groups on the surface of these particles. Potential importance of the impairments observed in structure of atherogenic lipoproteins from blood plasma in atherogenesis is discussed.