The analysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in human serum for clinical studies

Since cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality all over the world, it is becoming increasingly important and relevant to develop new analytical techniques for the analysis of the mechanisms of this complex disease as well as for clinical applications. The overall objective of this research was to develop an array of methods for the analysis of triglyceride rich lipoproteins (TRL) in human serum and to apply these methods to clinical samples. TRL particles are mainly derived from dietary fats, which are positively correlated with cardiovascular disease. The mechanism behind which triglycerides cause cardiovascular disease is not well understood. The analysis of TRL by novel methods including density gradient ultracentrifugation and density profiling, gel electrophoresis, in vitro enzymatic assays, and capillary zone electrophoresis are presented here. The development of a novel density profiling method for the remnant lipoproteins class of TRL and its application to clinical samples was successful. In addition, TRL were successfully evaluated for their composition by gel electrophoresis, in vitro enzymatic assays and capillary zone electrophoresis. The results of these analyses demonstrate great potential for the use of these new methods as analytical tools for researchers in understanding the mechanism behind the onset of cardiovascular disease by TRL and their triglycerides as well as diagnostic tools for clinicians.