The distribution of apo C-II and apo C-III in very low density lipoproteins of normal and type IV subjects.

The apoC-II/apoC-III ratio and the distribution of C apoproteins as percentage of the total protein in VLDL obtained from normolipidemic and type IV patients was studied by analytical isoelectrofocusing. While the percentage concentration of apoCI-III was unchanged that of apoC-II was 9.2% of total protein in normal VLDL and only 7.4% in type IV VLDL (P less than 0.05). The apoC-II/apo C-III ratio significantly decreased in type IV patients. The analysis of VLDL subfractions obtained by density gradient ultracentrifugation gave essentially the same results. These data confirm the decrease of apoC-II as % of the protein in type IV VLDL and suggest that the decrease of the apoC-II/apoC-iii ratio in type IV patients is related only to the decreased content of apoC-II. Whether the reduced apoC-II percentage amount or the decreased apoC-II/apo C-III ratio are related to the hypertriglyceridemia in type IV subjects is still unclear.