Abrnomal lipoprotein patterns in human serum as determined by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Two groups of abnormal electrophoretic patterns of serum lipoproteins are reported here. One demonstrates a deficiency or absence of lipoprotein fractions, which is characteristic of patients with abeta-lipoproteinemia, hypo-beta-lipoproteinemia, or Tangier disease. The other shows the presence of extra lipoprotein fractions, as found in cholestasis and multiple myeloma. These patterns, together with those of hyperlipoproteinemia phenotypes previously reported (Clin. Chem. 24:227, 1978), form a reference record and a basis for the detection and evaluation of lipoprotein abnormalities in normal and dyslipoproteinemic subjects, as determined by a sensitive, accurate, rapid, and inexpensive electrophoretic technique.