Comparability of two different polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis methods for the classification of LDL pattern type

• Published in: Clinica chimica acta Vol. 413; no. 1-2; pp. 251 - 257
• Main Authors: Bañuls, Celia, Bellod, Lorena, Jover, Ana, Martínez-Triguero, Maria Luisa, Víctor, Víctor Manuel, Rocha, Milagros, Hernández-Mijares, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 18.01.2012
• Subjects: Adult; Cardiovascular risk; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel - methods; Female; Humans; Lipoproteins, LDL - blood; Lipoproteins, LDL - chemistry; Lipoproteins, LDL - classification; Male; Middle Aged; Particle Size; Polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis; Polyacrylamide gradient tube electrophoresis; Small, dense LDL; Triglycerides; Polyacrylamide gradient tube electrophoresis; Small, dense LDL; Triglycerides; Cardiovascular risk; Polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis
• ISSN: 0009-8981; 1873-3492
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2011.09.047

The measurement of small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) particles is relevant when assessing cardiovascular risk. However, there is as yet no referenced method for the determination of LDL subfractions or a standardized comparison of the methods currently available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the pattern of LDL particles measured by polyacrylamide tube gel electrophoresis (PTGE) and polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (PGGE) and to correlate the results with triglyceride concentration. Serum samples were collected from 177 patients. Lipid profile and LDL particle size were assessed using PTGE and PGGE. Pearson correlation and kappa index revealed a very good agreement between the methods. There was 81.3% concordance for classification of sdLDL particles and 97.2% concordance for classification of large LDL when PTGE and PGGE were compared. LDL size correlated with triglyceride in subjects with triglyceride levels >116mg/dl, pointing to a high CAD risk, as reflected by their higher prevalence of pattern B. PTGE correlates favourably and is in very good agreement with PGGE. The determination of LDL particle size may be an appropriate analytical procedure to estimate CAD risk in patients with high triglyceride levels. ► sdLDL particles are relevant when assessing cardiovascular risk. ► We determined LDL particle size by PTGE and PGGE methods in our Lipid Research Unit. ► PTGE compares favourably with the PGGE for classification of LDL particle type. ► LDL size correlated with triglyceride when higher than 116mg/dl, pointing to a high CAD risk.