Heterogeneity of human very low density lipoproteins by gel filtration chromatography.

Very low density lipoproteins were separated by gel filtration on Sepharose 4B. A decrease in mean particle diameter and flotation rate was seen with increasing elution volumes. The smaller lipoproteins had relatively more protein and phospholipid and less triglyceride than the larger ones. No differences were noted in the relative contents of the various phospholipids or partial glycerides between small and large lipoproteins. Fatty acid patterns of triglycerides and cholesteryl esters were also similar for the various lipoproteins. Relatively more lecithin containing linoleoyl acyl groups was found in smaller lipoproteins of some subjects. More of the protein of smaller lipoproteins was apo-LDL protein. Apo-HDL peptide was lost from the very low density lipoprotein as a consequence of the gel filtration.