Quantitative determinations of HDL2 and HDL3 in patients with liver disease.

To elucidate the role of the liver in the metabolism of HDL subfractions, the levels of HDL2 and HDL3 were determined in the sera obtained from patients with liver disease. The determinations were carried out either by zonal ultracentrifugation or by gradient gel electrophoresis combined with HDL cholesterol measurement. Mean HDL3 cholesterol level in patients with liver cirrhosis was about one third of the normal controls whereas no significant changes were observed in HDL2 cholesterol concentration. HDL3 cholesterol levels in patients with chronic hepatitis were about a half of the controls. The levels of HDL3 cholesterol correlated significantly to the levels of serum albumin and to choline esterase activities. The results suggest either that HDL3 is synthesized in the liver or that there is a metabolic defect in the conversion of HDL2 to HDL3 in liver disease.