Analysis of Dyslipidemia in Nephrotic Syndrome by Capillary Isotachophoresis

Abstract

Hyperlipidaemia is a secondary change in nephrotic syndrome (NS) patients. Recent studies have highlighted increased risks of atherosclerosis and progression of renal disease associated with nephrotic dyslipidemia. All apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins, including very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are elevated in NS patients, while high-density lipoproteins (HDL) remain unchanged or even reduced. In addition, the lipoprotein composition undergoes a marked change, with a higher ratio of cholesterol to triglyceride in apoB-containing lipoproteins and an increase in the proportion of cholesterol, cholesterol ester, and phospholipids compared with proteins. This change in LDL and HDL cholesterol could no longer represent LDL and HDL particles exactly, underscoring the need for an easy and feasible means of analyzing lipoproteins effectively. Unlike capillary zone electrophoresis, cITP can separate mixed sample zones into pure zones of individual substances according to differences in their electrophoretic mobilities by using a discontinuous electrolyte system. Once the separation is completed, a steady state exists and the zones migrate in the order of decreasing mobilities but with the same velocity. The sharpening and self-focusing effect is another special feature of cITP, which improves resolution of small charge differences within lipoparticles and increases fluorescent detection sensitivity of minor lipoprotein subclasses. 1