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Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation
06:47

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation

Published on: January 28, 2021

Plasma lipid transport in the horse (Equus caballus)

T D Watson1, C J Packard, J Shepherd

  • 1Department of Pathological Biochemistry, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, U.K.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Comparative Biochemistry
|September 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Equine plasma contains lipoproteins, including high-density (HDL) and low-density (LDL) types. Researchers identified specific apolipoproteins and enzyme activities, finding no significant cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity.

Area of Science:

  • Lipid metabolism and cardiovascular research.
  • Comparative biochemistry of lipoproteins in equine species.

Background:

  • Understanding plasma lipoprotein composition is crucial for equine health.
  • Previous characterization of equine lipoproteins has been limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the types and properties of lipoproteins in equine plasma.
  • To identify associated apolipoproteins and key enzymatic activities.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of equine plasma using ultracentrifugation and electrophoresis.
  • Identification of apolipoproteins via Western blotting.
  • Assay of enzyme activities in post-heparin plasma.

Main Results:

  • Equine plasma contains very low density (VLDL), low density (LDL), and high density (HDL) lipoproteins.
  • HDL constitutes the majority (approx. 60%) of plasma lipoprotein mass.
  • LDL exhibits heterogeneity with three distinct subfractions.
  • Specific apolipoproteins, including those similar to apoB-100 and apoB-48, were identified.
  • Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase, hepatic lipase, and lipoprotein lipase activities were confirmed.
  • No significant cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity was detected.

Conclusions:

  • Equine plasma possesses a complex lipoprotein profile with distinct HDL and LDL characteristics.
  • The identified apolipoproteins and enzyme activities suggest conserved metabolic pathways.
  • The absence of cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity may indicate unique lipid regulatory mechanisms in horses.

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