Increased proportion of proapolipoprotein A-I in HDL from patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis.

We examined the isoform pattern of apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) in high density lipoprotein from patients with liver disease. An increase in the proportion of proapo A-I was evident in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, acute hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The rate of conversion from proapo A-I to apo A-I was low in sera from those with liver disease, compared to normal controls. The proportion of proapo A-I showed a tendency toward increase with advance in liver damage. These results suggest that the liver is participating in the reaction converting proapo A-I to the mature apo A-I.