Serum lipoprotein distribution, flotation rates and protein analysis

Abstract Flotation rates of the major S f 0舑12 lowdensity lipoprotein component in human serum may be calculated from ultracentrifuge data utilizing two computer programs. One program calculates a classical moving boundary uncorrected flotation rate by a best fit straight line for the points (1n x i , ३ 2 t i ). The other program permits erratum for concentration dependence and erratum to standard reference conditions. Preliminary application of these methods indicates significantly greater flotation rates in normal human females than in males for the 35舑49 year age group. The significance of interrelationships between the serum lipoprotein spectra, the serum lipids and the serum proteins is considered, resulting in the development of a revised method of measuring serum proteins by precision refractometry. The refractometric measurement is corrected in accordance with (any of various) lipid measurements in order to account for the contribution of lipoproteins to the total refractive increment. Such a technique, giving potentially a very accurate protein measurements, has application in screening studies involving abnormalities of both serum lipoprotein and serum protein metabolism.