[Determination of lipid composition of high density lipoproteins by thin-layer chromatography on silica gel]

Unidimensional chromatography in a thin layer of silica gel with two solvent systems for separation of the lipid extract of high density lipoproteins (HDLP) detected 10 lipid fractions in subjects with normal lipidemia. Four phospholipid fractions were identified: three main (phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelin) and one minor, phosphatidylethanolamine. HDLP lipids include free cholesterol and its esters; three glyceride fractions are detected: mono- di, and triglycerides, and free fatty acids. The ratio of individual phospholipid fractions and of free to ester-bound cholesterol in HDLP determined by computer-aided densitometry of chromatograms coincides with the data obtained routinely. Such a method for assessing the HDLP lipid composition is useful in studies of HDLP in patients with disorders of HDLP metabolism and for assessing the changes in HDLP composition during hypolipidemic therapy.