Method for the clinical separation of .alpha.- and .beta.-lipoproteins

Abstract

This invention relates to a separation method comprising the introduction of a sample of serum or plasma into a microcolumn containing a support which has a sulfated polysaccharide, preferably heparin, covalently bound to it so as to remove from said sample the .beta.-lipoproteins by binding thereof to this ligand, followed by washing the microcolumn with a first pH buffered solution and collecting the eluant representing a first fraction containing the .alpha.-lipoprotein portion of the sample. Then the microcolumn is washed wth a second pH buffered solution so as to release the ligand-bound .beta.-lipoproteins and to recover a second fraction containing the .beta.-lipoprotein portion of the sample. Afterwards, it is possible to separately determine the .alpha.- and .beta.-lipoprotein-cholesterol, as well as the respective .alpha./.beta. ratios of phospholipids, triglycerides and various apoproteines, and to calculate the respective ratios .alpha./.beta., all useful as clinical diagnostic indexes and allowing to obtain a complete lipoprotein profiling. The invention also concerns a kit comprising in a transportable box all the implements and reagents duly prepared so as to easily and quickly carry out the above method.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.