Lipoproteins of the extravascular space: alterations in low density lipoproteins of interstitial inflammatory fluid.

Although extrahepatic degradation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) by peripheral cells is considered to be a significant component of daily cholesterol homeostasis, the nature of lipoproteins in the extravascular space has not been well described. Using a sponge implantation model in the rabbit, we examined lipoproteins prepared from interstitial inflammatory fluid. Inflammatory fluid cholesterol is correlated with plasma values, (r = 0.735, P less than 0.01), but triglyceride values are not. Examination of inflammatory fluid lipoproteins by agarose gel electrophoresis, column chromatography, and density gradient centrifugation revealed a marked reduction in LDL concentration as compared to plasma LDL. Inflammatory fluid low density lipoproteins prepared by sequential density flotation had a larger mean diameter, they were erratic in shape, and contained more triglyceride and less cholesterol and cholesteryl ester than plasma LDL. Total cholesterol to protein ratio was significantly reduced in inflammatory fluid LDL (0.73 vs. 1.10, P less than 0.05). Inflammatory fluid LDL migrated further than plasma LDL on agarose electrophoresis, despite similar apoprotein patterns. These data concur with findings of altered composition and electrophoretic mobility of plasma LDL modified in vitro by exposure to acetylating agents, malondialdehyde, or aortic cells in culture, and they may represent the actual form of LDL in the extravascular space.