Comparison of lipoprotein analysis by agarose gel and paper electrophoresis with analytical ultracentrifugation

A comparison has been made of human serum lipoprotein analysis by agarose gel and paper electrophoresis with a standard method of analytical ultracentrifugation. Samples were obtained from 28 patients with various disorders of lipoprotein metabolism. Correspondence was shown between the following electrophoretic and ultracentrifugal fractions: β and Sf 0–20; pre‐β and Sf 20–400; α1 and total HDL. The deviations observed with the electrophoretic methods, though sizable, were smaller than the usual clinically significant abnormalities. Semiquantitative application is there fore justified. Agarose gel electrophoresis is slightly more difficult than paper electrophoresis, but gives improved resolution of pre‐β‐ and β‐lipoproteins and better densitometric scans. Evidence was also presented that the agarose method, when used in conjuction which ultracentrifugation, may be a valuable research technique for the study of lipoprotein properties.