Abstract
To study the effects of acute infections on serum lipids and lipoproteins we measured the concentration and composition of different lipoproteins, apoproteins A-I, A-II, and B, and the activities of plasma postheparin lipolytic enzymes, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) during acute and convalescence phase and after complete recovery in 72 infectious patients (33 with viral infection and 39 with bacterial infection). The mass concentrations of both low density lipoprotein (LDL) ( P < .001) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) 2 ( P < .002) were reduced during acute infections due to the lowering of their cholesterol, phospholipid, and protein contents. The reduction of LDL cholesterol was maximal at the acute stage of infection (change −15%, P < .001) while the reduction of HDL 2 cholesterol was maximal during the convalescence (change −35%, P < .001). During acute infections LDL became triglyceride-enriched (11.8 v 8.6%, P < .0001) but cholesterol-poor (36.6 v 39.3%, P < .0001). The ratio of HDL cholesterol/LDL cholesterol was significantly reduced during the convalescence (0.42 ± 0.15 v 0.53 ± 0.19, P < .0001). The concentrations of apo A-I and apo A-II were decreased during acute infections (changes −22%, P < .001, and −16%, P < .001, respectively). The very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) was 18% higher during the convalescence period than after the recovery due to the elevations of VLDL triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids. The activity of LPL was reduced both in the acute and convalescence phase, whereas that of HL was reduced only in the acute phase of infections. The observed changes of the lipoproteins and lipase activities were related to the severity of infection but were independent of the infective agents. In conclusion, the concentration and composition of serum lipoproteins exhibit striking changes during acute infections which can be explained at least partly by the concomitant reductions of LPL and HL activities.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
