[Methods of biochemical analysis in hyperliproproteinemias].

In the past years, the structure and function of the plasma lipoproteins and apolipoproteins have been elucidated. The biochemical defect of several genetic lipoprotein disorders and their role in the development of atherosclerosis are now well understood. Electrophoretic separation of lipoproteins in polyacrylamide gradient gel gives an acurate characterization of the different lipoproteins and allows the phenotyping of hyperlipoproteinemia. Abnormal concentrations of plasma lipoproteins have been known for many years to be a major risk factor in the development of premature ischemic heart disease. Although large-scale epidemiological studies have focused attention on the association between above-normal concentrations of plasma lipids and coronary atherosclerosis, recent findings have shown that quantitative lipoprotein and apoprotein determination may be a more nearly accurate predictor in the recognition of atherosclerosis. The risk for vascular disease seems to be particularly associated with an increase in the concentrations of apolipoprotein B (apo B), the major protein moiety of low density lipoproteins and a decrease in apolipoprotein Al, the major polypeptide of high-density lipoproteins.