[Chromatographic fractionation of cholesterol esters in Morgagni's hepatic cirrhosis. Preliminary note].

The behaviour of plasma cholesteryl esters has been investigated in patients with liver cirrhosis (so-called Laennec's cirrhosis). Both absolute and percentage values of esters containing di-, tri- and tetra-unsaturated fatty acids were decreased below the normal range; however, the various esters groups showed unequal decrement rates. These findings may be the result of a low lecithin: cholesterol-acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, due either to depression of the enzyme syntesis in the liver, or to inadequate substrate supply (possibly related with an impaired fatty acid production and lecithin synthesis). A decrease of all ester fractions, or a selective one, could also be induced by the releasing of abnormal hydrolases from damaged liver tissues.