β- lipoprotein

β- lipoprotein, also called Apolipoproteins B, is a protein that transports cholesterol in the blood. Lipoproteins are divided into "alpha" and "beta", according to the classification of proteins in serum protein electrophoresis. This terminology is sometimes used in describing lipid disorders such as abetalipoproteinemia.

High β- lipoprotein are thought to be associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosiss [1]. Most patients with coronary artery disease and chronic renal failure do not have elevated plasma or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. At the same time, β- lipoprotein is elevated, therefore it demonstrates better discriminant features on the stage of diagnostics [2,3].

1.       Jonathan Q. Purnell, et al. Levels of Lipoprotein(a), Apolipoprotein B, and Lipoprotein Cholesterol Distribution in IDDM: Results From Follow-up in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial. 1995 Oct; 44(10): 1218–1226. doi: 10.2337/diab.44.10.1218

2.       Sniderman A, et al.  Association of coronary atherosclerosis with hyperapobetalipoproteinemia [increased protein but normal cholesterol levels in human plasma low density (beta) lipoproteins]. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1980 Jan;77(1):604-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.77.1.604

3.       Cheung A, et al. Atherogenic lipids and lipoproteins in hemodialysis patients. Am J Kidney Dis. 1993 Aug;22(2):271-6. doi: 10.1016/s0272-6386(12)70318-9