Fasting and postprandial apolipoprotein B-48 levels in healthy, obese, and hyperlipidemic subjects

Metabolism. 2009 Nov;58(11):1536-42. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2009.04.040. Epub 2009 Jul 9.

Abstract

Apolipoprotein (apo) B-48 is the only specific marker of intestinal lipoproteins. We evaluated a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) standardized with recombinant apo B-48 to measure apo B-48 in plasma and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs, density <1.006 g/mL). Coefficients of variation were less than 2.5%. Assay values correlated well (r = 0.82, P < .001) with values obtained by gel scanning of TRLs (n = 75 samples); however, the gel scanning method yielded values that were about 50% lower than ELISA values. About 60% to 70% of apo B-48 was found in TRLs. In 12 healthy subjects, median fasting plasma apo B-48 levels were 0.51 mg/dL and were increased by 121% to 147% in the fed state. In 63 obese subjects, median fasting apo B-48 values were 0.82 mg/dL; and feeding resulted in almost no change in total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or total apo B values, whereas triglyceride, remnant lipoprotein cholesterol, and apo B-48 levels were significantly higher (P < .05; by +73%, +58%, and +106%), and direct low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and direct high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly lower (P < .001, by -13% and -20%) than fasting values. Relative to controls, 270 hyperlipidemic subjects had significantly higher (P < .001, +115%) fasting total apo B and higher apo B-48 values (P = .06, +37%). Our data indicate that the apo B-48 ELISA tested provides highly reproducible results and is excellent for research studies. Median apo B-48 values in healthy subjects are about 0.5 mg/dL and increase more than 100% in the fed state. Elevated levels are observed in obese and hyperlipidemic subjects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Apolipoprotein B-48 / blood*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Fasting / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias / blood*
  • Lipoproteins / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / blood*
  • Postprandial Period / physiology*
  • Reference Values
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Apolipoprotein B-48
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Lipoproteins
  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol