Influence of bile acids and free fatty acids on physicochemical properties of LP-X.

In this study it is demonstrated, that incubation of both, bile acids and free fatty acids with LP-X, the abnormal plasmalipoprotein found in patients suffering from cholestasis or LCAT-deficiency, results in striking alterations of the physico-chemical and immunological properties of LP-X: 1. The cathodic mobility in agar is changed into an anodic mairation of the material. 2. The unique appearance of LP-X on electronmicrographs is altered by the incubation revealing fingerprint like structures. 3. The albumin portion of LP-X becomes immunologically detectable. 4. Bile salts cause marked changes in the hydrated density of the material as determined by zonal ultracentrifugation. 5. In vitro incubation of LP-X with postheparin plasma causes a complete disappearance of LP-X as judged by its typical migration on agar electrophoresis. All these alterations can be prevented or reversed by the addition of albumin in appropriate concentrations. These findinga are important in the light of studies designed to investigate the catabolic action of plasma lipolytic enzymes on LP-X, as well as for follow up studies of LP-X concentrations during the course of disease.