[Phospholipid content of subfractions of high density lipoproteins in women with angiographically documented coronary arteriosclerosis].

The concentration of high density lipoproteins (HDL) and the phospholipid content of HDL2 and HDL3 were estimated in the plasma of 23 women with coronary heart disease (CHD) and in the control group of 38 healthy women. The concentration of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly reduced in patients with CHD in comparison with the control group. There was also a significant decrease of the per cent content of lecithin and an increased content of sphingomyelin, especially in HDL2 subfraction. It is concluded that the reduction of HDL-C content is accompanied by changes in the phospholipid content of HDL that may result in reduction of cholesterol-acceptor properties of these particles.