Measurement of postprandial remnant-like particles (RLPs) following a fat-loading test.

To assess the usefulness of remnant-like particles (RLPs), which represent potentially atherogenic lipoprotein remnants, as an index of postprandial hyperlipidemia, RLPs and other lipids were measured in 19 healthy adults (23-44 years old) after ingestion of a test meal (fat content, 32.9%). The lipoprotein derivatives, with a marked increase after fat-loading, were triglycerides, retinyl palmitate and RLPs. The retinyl palmitate peak lagged behind the RLP and triglyceride peaks, indicating that it may have different kinetics than RLP and triglyceride. While triglycerides are considered as an index of atherosclerotic risk factor, RLPs also may be a suitable index for evaluating postprandial hyperlipidemia. RLPs remained high even 8 h after fat-loading, suggesting that the postprandial state persists for almost the whole day. Accordingly, it may be important to assess postprandial remnant concentrations.