Plasma lipoprotein separations by zonal ultracentrifugation.

Procedures for the separation of plasma lipoprotein classes and subclasses by zonal ultracentrifugation are described. The main density classes, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL), in plasma can be separated in a single run for 20 hours. For the isolation of VLDL-LDL a centrifugation time of only 90 minutes is needed. Separations can be performed on plasma volumes varying from 10 to 400 ml in the Ti-14 rotor used; VLDL can in this way be isolated from 400 ml plasma in 30 minutes. The advantages and disadvantages of zonal ultracentrifugation in comparison with the commonly employed differential ultracentrifugation for separation of lipoproteins are discussed.