Chromatographic fractionation of cholesterol esters in Morgagni's hepatic cirrhosis. Preliminary note
Ceccanti, M.; Romeo, M.; Carlomusto, C.; Santini, P.; Tagliamonte, L.
Minerva Medica 69(55): 3747-3751
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4806 PMID: 733058 Document Number: 128217
The behaviour of plasma cholesteryl esters has been investigated in patients with liver cirrhosis (so-called Laennec's cirrhosis). Both absolute and percentage values of esters containing di-, tri- and tetra-unsaturated fatty acids were decreased below the normal range; however, the various esters groups showed unequal decrement rates. These findings may be the result of a low lecithin: cholesterol-acyltransferase (LCAT) activity, due either to depression of the enzyme syntesis in the liver, or to inadequate substrate supply (possibly related with an impaired fatty acid production and lecithin synthesis). A decrease of all ester fractions, or a selective one, could also be induced by the releasing of abnormal hydrolases from damaged liver tissues.