A new approach for the detection of type III hyperlipoproteinemia by RLP-cholesterol assay.

Type III is a remnant hyperlipoproteinemia identified by the presence of beta-VLDL (remnant lipoprotein) as well as a genetic variant of apo E (apo E2/2). The RLP isolated from the serum of Type III patients by a new method we have developed, the RLPcholesterol assay, was identified as chylomicron and VLDL remnant. In addition, the RLP-C levels of the Type III patients were significantly higher than other hyperlipidemic patients with similar serum TG levels, while the ratio of TC/TG in RLP-C of both groups was not significantly different. The RLP-cholesterol assay appears to be useful for the screening and monitoring of Type III hyperlipoproteinemia when used in conjunction with the assays of serum TG level and genetic apo E isoform analysis.