Thin-layer electrophoresis of serum lipoproteins.

A method is described for semiquantitative study of serum lipoproteins, with particular reference to the very low density fractions involved in transport of triglycerides. Serum samples were subjected to electrophoresis in thin layers of starch granules; lipids were extracted from starch segments and subjected to thin-layer chromatography; lipid fractions were recovered from the adsorbent and quantified colorimetrically. The procedure is applicable to the study of alimentary and endogenous hyperlipidemias in man, and to radioactive tracer experiments. Over-all recoveries of lipids were variable and averaged 81% for cholesterol and 76% for triglycerides.