Assay for determination of levels of lipoprotein particles in bodily fluids

Abstract

An assembly, method, system, and apparatus for the assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid are disclosed. The levels determined may be used to predict the risk of developing various diseases related to lipoprotein.

1 . An assembly for assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid comprising:
 a substrate to receive a bodily fluid sample;   an antibody to detect an immunologically active agent associated with lipoprotein particles or components of lipoprotein particles;   a reagent applied to the substrate for detection of the presence of proteins or lipids; and   whereas a signal indicates the presence of specific lipoprotein particles.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a device for detecting a signal used to quantitate the level of said specific lipoprotein particles. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is a gel for gel electrophoresis. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the immunologically active agent detected is selected from the group consisting of apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein C, apolipoprotein D, apolipoprotein E, apolipoprotein H, lipoprotein (a), high density lipoprotein, intermediate density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said assembly further comprises a processor to quantitate the level of lipoprotein particles. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an elevated level of apolipoprotein B and low density lipoprotein particles signifies that an individual has increased risk for cardiovascular disease. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an elevated level of apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein (a) particles signifies that an individual has increased risk for cardiovascular disease. 
     
     
         8 . A method of assessing the level of specific lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid comprising:
 separating lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid sample on a substrate;   exposing the substrate to an antibody to detect an immunologically active agent associated with lipoprotein particles or components of lipoprotein particles;   exposing the substrate to a reagent for detection of the presence of proteins or lipids; determining the level of specific lipoprotein particles.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein separating occurs by gel electrophoresis and the substrate is a gel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising determining an optical density of a signal on the substrate indicating the level of a specific lipoprotein particle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising visually detecting a signal on the substrate indicating the level of a specific lipoprotein particle. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the immunologically active agent is selected from the group consisting of apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein C, apolipoprotein D, apolipoprotein E, apolipoprotein H, lipoprotein (a), high density lipoprotein, intermediate density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the component is apolipoprotein B. 
     
     
         14 . A system for assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid comprising;
 a separation apparatus to separate lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid sample;   an antibody to detect an immunologically active agent associated with lipoprotein particles or components of lipoprotein particles; and   a reagent applied to the substrate for detection of the presence of lipoprotein particles.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the separation apparatus is an electrophoretic apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein an electrophoretic pattern of the bodily fluid sample is detected visually. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a densitometer for determining optical density of an electrophoretic pattern of the bodily fluid sample for assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a processor to quantitate the level of lipoprotein particles. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the immunologically active agent is selected from the group consisting of apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B; apolipoprotein C; apolipoprotein D; apolipoprotein E; apolipoprotein H; lipoprotein(a), high density lipoprotein, intermediate density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the component is apolipoprotein B. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid comprising:
 a separation apparatus to separate lipoprotein particles present in a bodily fluid sample on a gel;   a densitometer for determining the optical density of an electrophoretic pattern of the bodily fluid sample for assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles; and   a processor for correlating the level of said optical density of the electrophoretic pattern of the bodily fluid sample for assessment of the level of specific lipoprotein particles.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the separation apparatus is an electrophoretic apparatus.