Lipoprotein particle number from measurements of lipoprotein particle phospholipid concentration in lipoprotein particle membrane bilayer

A method of assessing a health risk in a subject, comprising:

• (i) determining the particle number and/or molar concentration of a lipoprotein or lipid particle in a biological sample from the subject;
• and
• (ii) assessing the health risk of the subject based on the particle number and/or molar concentration of the lipoprotein or lipid particle;
• wherein the particle number and/or molar concentration of the lipoprotein or lipid particle is determined by the steps of:
• (a) contacting the biological sample with a non-specific lipophilic dye under conditions suitable for the non-specific lipophilic dye to bind to the lipoprotein, or a lipid particle, thereof to form a lipophilic dye-labeled lipoprotein, wherein the biological sample comprises a known concentration of a signal-producing lipoprotein standard;
• (b) subjecting the lipophilic dye-labeled lipoprotein to a capillary isotachophoresis laser-induced fluorescence (CE-ITP-LIF) system;
• (c) detecting and comparing signals produced by the non-specific lipophilic dye and the signal-producing lipoprotein standard;
• and
• (d) quantifying, based on said detecting and comparing, the particle number and/or molar concentration of the of the lipoprotein or lipid particle in the sample, wherein the detected signals are proportional to the particle number and/or molar concentration of the lipoprotein or lipid particle in the sample.