Estimating HDL Via Associated Cholesterol
Many laboratories used a two-step method: Chemical precipitation of lipoproteins containing apoprotein B, then calculating HDL associated cholesterol as the cholesterol remaining in the supernate, and there are also direct methods. Both methods have long been promoted on the basis of lowest cost, though neither of these measurements directly, or reliably, reflects HDL particle functionality to remove cholesterol from atherosclerotic plaque and can therefore be misleading, especially on an individual patient-by-patient basis Labs use the routine dextran sulfate-Mg2+ precipitation method with ultracentrifugation/dextran sulfate-Mg2+ precipitation as reference method. HPLC can be used.
Subfractions (HDL-2C, HDL-3C) can be measured and have clinical significance.
Read more about this topic: High-density Lipoprotein
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