Analysis of lipoproteins with analytical capillary isotachophoresis

An analytical free flow capillary isotachophoresis procedure, with a discontinuous electrolyte system, for the detailed analysis of lipoproteins in human body fluids has been developed. The technique is based on prestaining whole serum lipoproteins with a lipophilic dye before separation. Human serum lipoproteins are separated into 14 well-characterized subfractions according to their electrophoretic mobility. High density lipoproteins (fraction 1 to 6) are separated into three major subpopulations, the fast migrating high density lipoprotein (HDL) subpopulation, containing mainly apo AI and phosphatidylcholine, the subpopulation with intermediate mobility, consisting of particles rich in apo AII, apo E, and C apolipoproteins, and the slowly migrating HDL subfraction, containing mainly particles rich in apo AI, apo AIV, and lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity. The apo B containing lipoproteins (fraction 7 to 14) can be subdivided into four major functional groups. The first represents chylomicron derived particles and large triglyceride-rich very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). The second group consists of small VLDL and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) particles, anf the third and fourth group represent the low density lipoproteins. The isotachophoretic analysis of human serum samples obtained from patients with hyperlipoproteinemias is compatible with the classification according to the Frederickson phenotypes and reflects the respective biochemical abnormalities. Furthermore, several genetic disorders of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism like HDL deficiency syndromes, familial LCAT deficiency, Fish eye disease, hypobetalipoproteinemia and abetalipoproteinemia can be well characterized by analytical capillary iso tachophoresis. In addition to patient analysis we investigated the influence of lipid lowering drugs on the lipoprotein subfraction distribution during therapy with analytical capillary isotachophoresis.