Serum HDL2 distribution in patients with coronary heart disease and controls as estimated by a precipitation reaction between HDL2 and an extract of Staphylococcus capitis.

Serum HDL2 concentration has been shown to be lowered in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Since we previously reported that serum HDL2 can be estimated by single radial diffusion in agar containing an extract of Staphylococcus capitis, it seemed of interest to study whether serum HDL2 as estimated by this method is different in CHD patients and controls. It was shown that relative activity of HDL2, assessed by the method, was appreciably lower in 40 men with angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) than in a control group of 39 men of the same age. Also apolipoprotein A (apo A) concentration was lower in the CAD group, but group difference in HDL2 activity was greater than separation based upon apoA. It is suggested that precipitation with an extract of Staphylococcus capitis might be a useful approach to estimate serum HDL2 levels.