Genetics
Extra-large HDL particles unique to genetic CETP deficiency may mark reduced atherosclerosis risk (Clin Chim Acta 2000)
Original title: Particle size analysis of high density lipoproteins in patients with genetic cholesteryl ester transfer protein deficiency
Analyzing HDL particle size by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis in 23 patients with genetic CETP deficiency, nine with hyperalphalipoproteinemia, and seven with normal HDL cholesterol, mean HDL Stokes diameter was significantly larger in CETP-deficient patients (11.2 nm) than in hyperalphalipoproteinemia (10.7 nm, P<0.05) or normal subjects (9.5 nm, P<0.01), and correlated significantly with serum CETP mass (P<0.05). Extra-large HDL particles over 12 nm appeared in 14 of the 23 CETP-deficient patients but in none of the other groups, and CETP-deficient patients with these extra-large particles had significantly lower LDL and total cholesterol than non-carriers (P<0.01). The authors propose extra-large HDL as a potential index for clarifying the relationship between genetic CETP deficiency and atherosclerosis risk.
Original abstract
We investigated the detailed distribution of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) particle size in patients with cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) deficiency. Serum samples pre-stained with Sudan black B were electrophoresed using 4-30% polyacrylamide gradient gels, and the Stokes diameter of HDL particles was determined in 23 patients with genetic CETP deficiency, nine patients with hyperalphalipoproteinemia and seven subjects with normal HDL cholesterol concentrations. The mean Stokes diameter of HDL particles in CETP deficient patients (11.2+/-0.6 nm) was significantly greater than hyperalphalipoproteinemia (10.7+/-0.3 nm, P<0.05) and normal subjects (9.5+/-0.4 nm, P<0.01). A significant relationship was found between mean HDL size and serum CETP mass concentrations (P<0.05). When the particle size of all detected HDL bands was investigated, extra-large HDL particles larger than 12 nm were found in 14 of the 23 patients with CETP deficiency, which were not found in any of the hyperalphalipoproteinemia patients or normal subjects. Serum low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol concentrations were lower in CETP deficiencies with extra-large HDL particles than those in non-carriers (P<0.01). These results indicate that extra-large HDL may be an index to clarify the relationship between genetic CETP deficiency and atherosclerosis.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.