Lipid and lipoprotein analysis of cats with lipoprotein lipase deficiency

Background We have previously described a colony of domestic cats with a naturally occurring mutation in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene. We have now further characterized cats homozygous for LPL deficiency (LPL −/−, homozygotes), and have contrasted these with heterozygotes (LPL +/−) and normal cats (LPL +/+). Materials and methods Density gradient ultracentrifugation with subsequent lipid analysis, agarose and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to examine detailed liproprotein differences between the genotypes. Oral fat loading studies and breast milk fatty acid analysis were also performed to further characterize the phenotypic expression of LPL deficiency in this model system. Results Several lipid abnormalities associated with homozygosity for LPL deficiency were evident. Triglyceride‐rich lipoprotein‐triglycerides (TRL‐TG) and cholesterol (TRL‐C) were higher (TRL‐TG 2.09 ± 1.14 vs. 0.15 ± 0.04 mmol L−1, P