氧化修饰脂蛋白刺激人动脉平滑肌细胞DNA合成

动脉平滑肌细胞(SMC)是动脉粥样硬化(As)斑块中的主要细胞, 它的增殖在As的形成过程中极为重要. 在建立人主动脉SMC体外培养法的基础上, 通过 ³H-TdR掺入实验观察了人低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL)及高密度脂蛋白(HDL)和相应的氧化修饰型脂蛋白对培养人SMC DMA合成的影响.结果发现,HDL对 ³H-TdR掺入SMC DNA无影响(P>0.05); LDL和VLDL ³H-TdR掺入量明显增加(P<0.05);OX-LDL, OX-VLDL及OX-HDL均使 ³H-TdR掺入DNA显著增加(P<0.01).结果表明,LDL和OX-LDL, OX-VLDL及OX-HDL均能刺激SMC DNA合成,促进SMC增殖.     

肾病综合征高脂血症发病机制研究进展

肾病综合征脂质代谢紊乱包括胆固醇(CH)和低密度脂蛋白(LDL)代谢异常、富含甘油三脂(TG)的脂蛋白代谢异常、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)代谢异常.根据目前的研究结果,CH和LDL代谢异常主要是由于羟甲基戊二酰辅酶A还原酶(HMG-CoA还原酶)和肝脂酰CoA胆固醇脂酰转移酶(ACAT)上调以及LDL受体和HDL受体下调所致;而富含TG的脂蛋白代谢异常主要与脂蛋白脂肪酶(LPL)、肝脂肪酶和极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL)受体的下调有关;HDL的代谢异常则主要是由于尿液中大量丢失卵磷脂胆固醇脂酰转移酶(LCAT)和HDL受体下调所致.上述代谢异常使肾病综合征患者心血管并发症的发生显著增加.     

北京鸭血清LDL-apo A-I及其性质的初步研究

载脂蛋白(apo)A-I主要存在于血清高密度脂蛋白(HDL)组分中,少量存在于极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL)中。我们在研究北京鸭血清脂蛋白时偶然发现鸭低密度脂蛋白(LDL)     

VLDL—受体重复序列的诱变缺失与配体结合力的关系

极低密度脂蛋白受体 (VLDL R)的配体结合域上存在 8个富含半胱氨酸的重复序列 (ligand bindingre peats,LBR) ,被认为是与配体结合的部位。该受体与含 7个类似重复序列的低密度脂蛋白受体 (LDL R)配体结合特性明显不同。为了明确VLDL R中 8个LBR在与配体结合中的作用并探讨VLDL R与LDL R结合特性差异原因 ,采用基因缺失诱变方法 ,构建了各种不同重复序列缺失的VLDL R重组体。将其分别导入无LDL R功能性表达的ldl A7细胞。转染细胞与荧光标记的VLDL、β VLDL及LDL的结合实验结果表明 ,LBR1和LBR2对结合富含apoE的脂蛋白 (VLDL ,β VLDL)最为重要 ;LBR3和LBR6对结合VLDL也有重要作用 ,但对结合 β VLDL无明显影响。结果同时表明 ,LBR7缺失的VLDL R表现出部分LDL R的结合特性 ,提示该重复序列可能是VLDL R与LDL R配体结合特性差异的部分原因     

氧化低密度脂蛋白诱导主动脉平滑肌细胞胆固醇酯聚集和凋亡(英)

细胞内胆固醇代谢的失衡和细胞凋亡都与动脉粥样硬化的发生有关.为了研究两者之间的关系,我们把猪的主动脉平滑肌细胞与15 mg／L氧化低密度脂蛋白共同孵育72 h,发现细胞内胆固醇酯与总胆固醇的比值由26.2%增加到64.1%,并且细胞内胆固醇酯的积聚有剂量依赖关系,表明细胞已经转化为平滑肌源性的泡沫细胞.另外,使用荧光显微镜、激光共聚焦显微镜和流式细胞仪分别发现,与氧化低密度脂蛋白共孵育的细胞有典型的凋亡形态改变.从实验可以推测,由氧化低密度脂蛋白诱导的平滑肌细胞凋亡,除了低密度脂蛋白氧化的因素外,也可能与细胞内胆固醇酯与总胆固醇的比值升高有关.     

高胆固醇高脂肪膳食对家兔β-VLDL组成及其与巨噬细胞相互作用的影响的初步研究

给家兔喂以1％胆固醇及10％菜油(A组)或猪油(B组)50多天后A组血胆固醇水平(824.2±265.1mg/dl)明显低于B组(1666±693.8mg/dl);A组甘油三酯水平(51.9±19.1mg/dl)亦低于B组(104±40.2mg/dl)。二组家兔的β—VLDL的脂类组成无差别,但A组β—VLDL的apoE高于B组,分别为45.2％及37.5％。高分子量apoB(apoB_h)为33.6％,低于B组β-VLDL(47.3％)。A组β-VLDL促进小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞胆固醇堆积的程度大于B组,可能与apoE含量高有关。我们认为多不饱和脂酸减轻动脉粥样硬化(As)的作用不在于改变脂蛋白构成后阻碍泡沫细胞的形成而是促进β—VLDL从体内清除。     

人动脉壁蛋白聚糖与血清脂蛋白形成的不溶性复合物

本文报道了人主动脉壁中正常及异常(脂纹,FS)区的三种蛋白聚糖(PG)即:硫酸软骨素PG(CSPG)、硫酸皮肤素—硫酸软骨素PG(DSCSPG)及硫酸乙酰肝素PG(HSPG)与血清极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL)及低密度脂蛋白(LDL)所形成的不溶性复合物。在30mmol/L Ca~(2+)对,三种PG都能与这两种脂蛋白形成不溶性复合物,随放置时间的增加,形成的复合物都发生解离,但其复合物形成的曲线及解离程度明显不同。DSCSPG与CSPG比较,前者与两种脂蛋白更易形成不溶性复合物且不易解离。HSPG与两种脂蛋白形成不溶性复合物所需时间远大于CSPG及DSCSPG。FS区及正常区三种PG形成复合物曲线类型相似,异常区CSPG、DSCSPG与VLDL形成的复合物量低于正常区的相应PG,而与VLDL则高于正常区的相应PG。异常区的HSPG与两种脂蛋白形成不溶性复合物的量均高于正常区。     

大白鼠脑中表达低密度脂蛋白(LDL)受体的神经元可吸收含脱辅基蛋白E(ApoE)的脂蛋白

用组织荧光和免疫细胞化学相结合法研究含脱辅基蛋白E(ApoE)的脂蛋白是否可被中枢神经元所吸收。实验结果如下: 1.含ApoE的脂蛋白仅被注射针迹附近的神经元所吸收。 2.只有表达出低密度脂蛋白(LDL)受体的神经元才能吸收含ApoE的脂蛋白。 3.不能表达LDL受体的神经元不能吸收含ApoE的脂蛋白。 实验结果表明,含ApoE的脂蛋白、LDL受体的表达及ApoE-LDL受体的相互作用是哺乳动物中枢神经系统内实现胆固醇运输和维持胆固醇代谢平衡的重要机制。     

大白鼠脑中表达低密度脂蛋白(LDL)受体的神经元可吸收含脱辅基蛋白E(ApoE)的脂蛋白

用组织荧光和免疫细胞化学相结合法研究含脱辅基蛋白E(ApoE)的脂蛋白是否可被中枢神经元所吸收。实验结果如下: 1.含ApoE的脂蛋白仅被注射针迹附近的神经元所吸收。 2.只有表达出低密度脂蛋白(LDL)受体的神经元才能吸收含ApoE的脂蛋白。 3.不能表达LDL受体的神经元不能吸收含ApoE的脂蛋白。 实验结果表明,含ApoE的脂蛋白、LDL受体的表达及ApoE-LDL受体的相互作用是哺乳动物中枢神经系统内实现胆固醇运输和维持胆固醇代谢平衡的重要机制。     

胰岛素对大鼠肝脏和血浆脂质代谢的影响

正常大鼠皮下注射胰岛素后血清总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(HDL-C)和甘油三酯(TG)显著下降(P<0.01、P<0.001和P<0.01),(血清HDL-C)/(血清TC)和(血清HDL-C)/(血清TC-(HDL-C))无变化,离体灌流肝脏分泌TC和TG显著增加(P<0.001,P<0.05)。这些结果提示:(1)胰岛素使血清HDL-C和较低密度脂蛋白[极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL) 低密度脂蛋白(LDL)]-胆固醇同等比例下降。(2)胰岛素促进正常大鼠肝脏合成分泌TG(VLDL-TG)增加和血浆TG(VLDL-TG)清除增加,可能以后一作用为主。(3)胰岛素促进正常大鼠肝脏合成分泌胆固醇增加和血浆胆固醇清除增加,可能以后一作用为主。(4)胰岛素使正常大鼠血清HDL-C下降,可能是由于激活LDL受体促进大鼠HDL通过LDL受体途径的分解代谢和/或激活肝内皮脂酶(HEL)促进HDL分解的结果。     

Lipid transport in the developing bovine follicle: messenger RNA expression increases for selective uptake receptors and decreases for endocytosis receptors

Differences in rates of steroid production and secretion will, eventually, determine the developmental rates of ovarian follicles. The major supply of cholesterol, the precursor for steroid and androgen biosynthesis, to ovarian cells is from circulating lipoproteins via membrane receptors from the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL) superfamily. This occurs by either endocytosis, which has been described for very low density lipoprotein receptors (VLDLr), for LDL receptors (LDLr), and by the selective uptake pathway described for the scavenger receptor class B type 1 receptor (SRB1) and the recently described ovarian receptor, lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8). In this study, the mRNA expression of these four cholesterol receptors in bovine ovarian cells was determined at different stages of follicular development. In small antral follicles, mRNA expression of the endocytosis receptors was higher than in large antral follicles. Expression of LRP8 mRNA increased linearly with follicular size together with an increase in LDL, VLDL, and cholesterol concentrations in the follicular fluid. SRB1 mRNA expression tended to increase with follicular diameter. Because different mRNA expression patterns were found for the two types of receptor, this may imply different regulation of cholesterol supply at different stages of follicular development. Accumulation of LDL and VLDL particles in the follicular fluid of large antral follicles may enhance cholesterol availability for the intense steroidogenic activity that is essential at these stages.     

Study of the components of reverse cholesterol transport in lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency

Enzymatic and lipid transfer reactions involved in reverse cholesterol transport were studied in healthy and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), deficient subjects. Fasting plasma samples obtained from each individual were labeled with [3H]cholesterol and subsequently fractionated by gel chromatography. The radioactivity patterns obtained corresponded to the elution volumes of the three major ultracentrifugally isolated lipoprotein classes (very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and high density lipoproteins (HDL)). In healthy subjects, the LCAT activity was consistently found in association with the higher molecular weight portion of HDL. Similar observations were made when exogenous purified LCAT was added to the LCAT-deficient plasma prior to chromatography. Incubation of the plasma samples at 37 degrees C resulted in significant reduction of unesterified cholesterol (FC) and an increase in esterified cholesterol (CE). Comparison of the data of FC and CE mass measurements of the lipoprotein fractions from normal and LCAT-deficient plasma indicates that: (i) In normal plasma, most of the FC for the LCAT reaction originates from LDL even when large amounts of FC are available from VLDL. (ii) The LCAT reaction takes place on the surface of HDL. (iii) The product of the LCAT reaction (CE) may be transferred to either VLDL or LDL although VLDL appears to be the preferred acceptor when present in sufficient amounts. (iv) CE transfer from HDL to lower density lipoproteins is at least partially impaired in LCAT-deficient patients. Additional studies using triglyceride-rich lipoproteins indicated that neither the capacity to accept CE from HDL nor the lower CE transfer activity were responsible for the decreased amount of CE transferred to VLDL and chylomicrons in LCAT-deficient plasma.     

Apolipoprotein E Structure and Substrate and Receptor-Binding Activities of Triglyceride-Rich Human Plasma Lipoproteins in Normo- and Hypertriglyceridemia

Cysteine-arginine interchanges along the primary sequence of human plasma apolipoprotein E (apoE) play an important role in determining its biological functions due to a high mutation frequency of cytosine in CGX triplet that codes 33 of 34 apolipoprotein arginine residues. The contribution of apoE secondary structure to apolipoprotein-lipid interaction is described. The significance of apolipoprotein in triglyceride synthesis, lipoprotein lipolysis, and receptor-mediated clearance of lipolytic remnants of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins is discussed as well. The metabolic flow of lipoproteins in normo- and hypertriglyceridemia can be described by separate compartments that contribute to lipoprotein interaction with at least six different receptors: 1) low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor; 2) LDL receptor-related protein (LRP); 3) apoB(48) macrophage receptor for hypertriglyceridemic very low density lipoproteins (VLDL); 4) scavenger receptors; 5) VLDL receptor; 6) lipolysis-stimulated receptor. The contribution of the exposure of apoE molecules on the surface of triglyceride-rich particles sensitive both to lipolysis and plasma triglyceride content to the interaction with LDL receptor and LRP is emphasized.     

Suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase by low density lipoproteins produced in vitro by lipoprotein lipase action on nonsuppressive very low density lipoproteins.

Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), Sf60 to 400, from normolipemic individuals do not suppress 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity in cultured normal human fibroblasts at concentrations 20-fold higher than those of low density lipoproteins (LDL) that give total suppression. To determine if these VLDL contain all of the structural elements necessary for receptor-mediated suppression, they were converted in vitro with bovine milk lipoprotein lipase to low density lipoproteins. These LDL-like lipoproteins were as effective in suppression as LDL isolated directly from plasma, with half-maximal and complete suppression at 1 and 4 microgram of cholesterol ml-1. Neither native LDL nor LDL produced in vitro suppressed receptor-negative fibroblasts. We conclude that action of lipoprotein lipase on VLDL leads to a rearrangement of lipoprotein components that permits interaction of LDL produced in vitro with the LDL-specific cell surface receptor of fibroblasts and subsequent suppression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase.     

Low density lipoproteins develop resistance to oxidative modification due to inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein by a monoclonal antibody

Although numerous studies have investigated the relationship between cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) remodeling, the relationship between CETP and low density lipoproteins (LDL) is still not fully understood. In the present study, we examined the effect of the inhibition of CETP on both LDL oxidation and the uptake of the oxidized LDL, which were made from LDL under condition of CETP inhibition, by macrophages using a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to CETP in incubated plasma. The 6-h incubation of plasma derived from healthy, fasting human subjects led to the transfer of cholesteryl ester (CE) from HDL to VLDL and LDL, and of triglycerides (TG) from VLDL to HDL and LDL. These net mass transfers of neutral lipids among the lipoproteins were eliminated by the mAb. The incubation of plasma either with or without the mAb did not affect the phospholipid compositions in any lipoproteins. As a result, the LDL fractionated from the plasma incubated with the mAb contained significantly less CE and TG in comparison to the LDL fractionated from the plasma incubated without the mAb. The percentage of fatty acid composition of LDL did not differ among the unincubated plasma, the plasma incubated with the mAb, and that incubated without the mAb. When LDL were oxidized with CuSO4, the LDL fractionated from the plasma incubated with the mAb were significantly resistant to the oxidative modification determined by measuring the amount of TBARS and by continuously monitoring the formation of the conjugated dienes, in comparison to the LDL fractionated from the plasma incubated without the mAb. The accumulation of cholesteryl ester of oxidized LDL, which had been oxidized for 2 h with CuSO4, in J774.1 cells also decreased significantly in the LDL fractionated from the plasma incubated with mAb in comparison to the LDL fractionated from the plasma incubated without the mAb. These results indicate that CETP inhibition reduces the composition of CE and TG in LDL and makes the LDL resistant to oxidation. In addition, the uptake of the oxidized LDL, which was made from the LDL under condition of CETP inhibition, by macrophages also decreased.     

Role of lipid peroxidation in the inhibition of mononuclear cell proliferation by normal lipoproteins

Stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) can oxidize normal lipoproteins, and sufficiently oxidized lipoproteins are cytotoxic. However, the role of lipid peroxidation in the inhibition of mitogen-stimulated PBMC proliferation by physiologic concentrations of normal lipoproteins is unclear. In the present investigation, normal low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) suppressed [3H]thymidine incorporation and gamma interferon production in concanavalin A-stimulated PBMC without causing cell death. This suppression was accompanied by parallel increases in lipid peroxidation products measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). In contrast, high density lipoprotein (HDL) failed to inhibit PBMC and TBARS remains low. Differences between the PBMC suppression from LDL, VLDL, and HDL were best accounted for by normalizing the lipoprotein concentrations by their total lipid content. Moreover, the antioxidants superoxide dismutase and butylated hydroxytoluene each substantially ameliorated the inhibition of PBMC caused by LDL, and reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation products that were generated. Altogether, these results suggest that reactive oxygen species generated by stimulated PMBC may cause oxidative alterations of normal lipoproteins that may, in turn, account for much of the previously reported inhibition of PBMC by normal lipoproteins.     

Uptake of type IV hypertriglyceridemic VLDL by cultured macrophages is enhanced by interferon-gamma.

Hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) from subjects with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia induce both cholesteryl ester (CE) and triglyceride (TG) accumulation in cultured J774 macrophages. We examined whether the cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), which is expressed by lymphocytes in atherosclerotic lesions, would modulate macrophage uptake of HTG -VLDL. Incubation of cells with HTG -VLDL alone significantly increased cellular CE and TG mass 17- and 4.3-fold, respectively, while cellular free cholesterol (FC) was unaffected. Pre-incubation of cells with IFN-gamma (50 U/ml) prior to incubation with HTG -VLDL caused a marked enhancement in cellular CE and TG 27- and 6-fold over no additions (controls), respectively, and a 1.5-fold increase in FC. IFN-gamma increased low density lipoprotein (LDL)-induced cellular CE 2-fold compared to LDL alone. IFN-gamma did not enhance the uptake of type III (apoE2/E2) HTG -VLDL or VLDL from apoE knock-out mice. Incubations in the presence of a lipoprotein lipase (LPL) inhibitor or an acylCoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor demonstrated that the IFN-gamma-enhanced HTG -VLDL uptake was dependent on LPL and ACAT activities. IFN-gamma significantly increased the binding and degradation of 125I-labeled LDL. Binding studies with 125I-labeled alpha2-macroglobulin, a known LDL receptor-related protein (LRP) ligand, and experiments with copper-oxidized LDL indicated that the IFN-gamma-enhanced uptake was not due to increased expression of the LRP or scavenger receptors. Thus, IFN-gamma may promote foam cell formation by accelerating macrophage uptake of native lipoproteins. IFN-gamma-stimulated CE accumulation in the presence of HTG -VLDL occurs via a process that requires receptor binding-competent apoE and active LPL. IFN-gamma-enhanced uptake of both HTG -VLDL and LDL is mediated by the LDL-receptor and requires ACAT-mediated cholesterol esterification.     

Familial cholesteryl ester transfer protein deficiency is associated with triglyceride-rich low density lipoproteins containing cholesteryl esters of probable intracellular origin

The net transfer of core lipids between lipoproteins is facilitated by cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). We have recently documented CETP deficiency in a family with hyperalphalipoproteinemia, due to a CETP gene splicing defect. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the plasma lipoproteins within the low density lipoprotein (LDL) density range and also the cholesteryl ester fatty acid distribution amongst lipoproteins in CETP-deficient subjects. In CETP deficiency, the conventional LDL density range contained both an apoE-rich enlarged high density lipoprotein (HDL) (resembling HDLc), and also apoB-containing lipoproteins. Native gradient gel electrophoresis revealed clear speciation of LDL subclasses, including a distinct population larger in size than normal LDL. Anti-apoB affinity-purified LDL from the CETP-deficient subjects were shown to contain an elevated triglyceride to cholesteryl ester ratio, and also a high ratio of cholesteryl oleate to cholesteryl linoleate, compared to their own HDL or to LDL from normal subjects. Addition of purified CETP to CETP-deficient plasma results in equilibration of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesteryl esters with those of HDL. These data suggest that, in CETP-deficient humans, the cholesteryl esters of VLDL and its catabolic product, LDL, originate predominantly from intracellular acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). The CETP plays a role in the normal formation of LDL, removing triglyceride and transferring LCAT-derived cholesteryl esters into LDL precursors.     

Dissociation of high density lipoprotein precursors from apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in the presence of unesterified fatty acids and a source of apolipoprotein A-I

Incubation of low (LDL), intermediate (IDL), or very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) with palmitic acid and either high density lipoproteins (HDL), delipidated HDL, or purified apolipoprotein (apo) A-I resulted in the formation of lipoprotein particles with discoidal structure and mean particle diameters ranging from 146 to 254 A by electron microscopy. Discs produced from IDL or LDL averaged 26% protein, 42% phospholipid, 5% cholesteryl esters, 24% free cholesterol, and 3% triglycerides; preparations derived from VLDL contained up to 21% triglycerides. ApoA-I was the predominant protein present, with smaller amounts of apoA-II. Crosslinking studies of discs derived from LDL or IDL indicated the presence of four apoA-I molecules per particle, while those derived from large VLDL varied more in size and contained as many as six apoA-I molecules per particle. Incubation of discs derived from IDL or LDL with purified lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), albumin, and a source of free cholesterol produced core-containing particles with size and composition similar to HDL2b. VLDL-derived discs behaved similarly, although the HDL products were somewhat larger and more variable in size. When discs were incubated with plasma d greater than 1.21 g/ml fraction rather than LCAT, core-containing particles in the size range of normal HDL2a and HDL3a were also produced. A variety of other purified free fatty acids were shown to promote disc formation. In addition, some mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids facilitated the formation of smaller, spherical particles in the size range of HDL3c. Both discoidal and small spherical apoA-I-containing lipoproteins were generated when native VLDL was incubated with lipoprotein lipase in the presence of delipidated HDL. We conclude that lipolysis product-mediated dissociation of lipid-apoA-I complexes from VLDL, IDL, or LDL may be a mechanism for formation of HDL subclasses during lipolysis, and that the availability of different lipids may influence the type of HDL-precursors formed by this mechanism.     

Increased oxidazability of plasma low density lipoprotein from patients with coronary artery disease

Oxidative modification of lipoproteins may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study was designed to examine whether increased lipid peroxides and/or oxidative susceptibility of plasma lipoproteins occur in patients with coronary artery disease. The levels of lipid peroxides, estimated as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), were significantly greater in the plasma and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) of symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease than in those of healthy persons, but the TBARS levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) showed insignificant difference between patients and normals. To evaluate the oxidative susceptibility of lipoproteins, we employed in vitro Cu²⁺ oxidation of lipoproteins monitored by changes in fluorescenece, TBARS level, trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) reactivity, apolipoprotein immunoreactivity and agarose gel electrophoretic mobility. While VLDL and LDL of normal controls were oxidazed at 5–10 μM Cu²⁺, pooled VLDL and LDL of patients with coronary artery disease were oxidized at 1–2.5 μM Cu²⁺, i.e., at relatively lowver oxidative stress. At 5 μM Cu²⁺, VLDL and LDL of patients with coronary artery disease still showed at faster oxidation rate, judged by the rate of fluorescence increase, higher TBARS level, less TNBS reactivity, greater change in apo B immunoreactivity and higher electrophoretic mobility than those of normal controls. However, the difference on the oxidizability of HDL was insignificant for patients vs. normals. In conclusion, we have shown that plasm VLDL and LDL of patients with coronary artery disease are more susceptible to in vitro oxidative modification than those of health persons. The data suggest that enhanced oxidizability of plasma lipoproteins may be important factor influencing the development of coronary artery disease.