Lipoproteins

The lipoproteins of plasma consist of lipids (triglycerides or fats, cholesterol, choelsterol esters, phospholipids) and apolipoproteins. Lipids are substances of plasma and cells that are soluble in hydrophobic organic solvents.

Depending on their density (characterization by ultracentrifugation), they are measured in:

• chylomicrons (with very low density); no migration in the electric field.
• Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL- very low density lipoproteins)
• Low density lipoproteins (LDL- very low density lipoproteins)
• Lipoproteins with high density (HDL-high density lipoproteins)

Physiologically, all lipoproteins are involved in lipid transport, especially cholesterol and trigylcerides.

Disorders of lipoprotein formation, transport or degradation can result in an increase of one or more lipoprotein fractions in the serum (hyperlipoproteinemia).