Table 26.1: Properties of plasma lipoproteins

 

Composition (%)

Plasma lipoproteins

Density (g ml−1)

Diameter (nm)

Apolipoprotein

Physiological role

TAG

CE

C

PL

P

Chylomicron

<0.95

75–1200

B-48, C, E

Dietary fat transport

    86

      3

    1

      8

      2

Very low density   lipoprotein

0.95–1.006

30–80

B-100, C, E

Endogenous fat   transport

    52

    14

    7

    18

      8

Intermediate-density   lipoprotein

1.006–1.019

15–35

B-100, E

LDL precursor

    38

    30

    8

    23

    11

Low-density lipoprotein

1.019–1.063

18–25

B-100

Cholesterol transport

    10

    38

    8

    22

    21

High-density lipoprotein

1.063–1.21

7.5–20

A

Reverse cholesterol   transport

5–10

14–21

3–7

19–29

33–57

Abbreviations: TAG, triacylglyerol; CE, cholesteryl ester; C, free cholesterol; PL, phospholipid; P, protein.