Lipoprotein isolation and analysis from serum by preparative ultracentrifugation.

Plasma lipoproteins are a heterogeneous population of soluble, macromolecular aggregates of lipids and proteins. They are responsible for the transport of waterinsoluble nutrients through the vascular and extravascular fluids from their site of synthesis or absorption to peripheral tissues (1,2). These hydrophobic nutrients (triacylglycerols [TGs] and cholesteryl esters [CEs]) are delivered from the liver and intestine to other tissues in the body for storage or catabolism in the production of energy. Lipoproteins are also known to be involved in other biological processes, including coagulation and tissue repair as well as immune reactions (3,4).