Apolipoprotein and lipid composition of plasma lipoproteins in neonates during the first month of life.

In this study the lipid and apoprotein profiles were investigated in newborns at 0, 7, and 30 days of life. The plasma lipoproteins were separated both by ultracentrifugation and gel filtration in order to compare the patterns obtained by the two techniques. At birth, the apo E concentration is comparable to that measured in adults, but its distribution among lipoproteins is significantly different as more than 80% of the plasma apo E belongs to high-density lipoproteins (HDL). At 7 and 30 days the plasma apo E concentrations are close to the values at birth, but a significant redistribution occurs from HDL to very low-density lipoproteins. By analogy with apo B, the plasma apo CIII concentration is low at birth and increases between 0 and 7 days by a factor of about two. Plasma triglycerides increase significantly during the first week of life so that the apo CIII increase is most pronounced in very low-density lipoproteins. These lipoproteins therefore become enriched in apo E, apo CIII and triglycerides between 0 and 7 days. At birth, a distinct HDL fraction, enriched in apo E, apo AII and cholesterol (HDLE), could be detected. To compensate for the low LDL levels, this HDLE fraction might function as an additional source for cholesterol delivery to peripheral tissues via the apo (B, E) receptor. At later age, low-density lipoprotein synthesis is enhanced, apo E is transferred to very low-density lipoproteins, and cholesterol delivery via the HDLE becomes less important.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)