Objective We investigated the impact of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene mutations on apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 metabolism. Methods and Results We studied 3 subjects with familial LPL deficiency (FLD), 14 subjects heterozygous for the LPL gene mutations, Gly188Glu, Trp64Stop and Ile194Thr, and 10 control subjects. Very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-apoB-100 kinetics were determined in the fed state using stable isotope methods and compartmental modeling. Compared with controls, FLD had markedly elevated plasma triglycerides and lower VLDL-apoB-100 fractional catabolic rate (FCR), IDL-apoB-100 FCR, VLDL-to-IDL conversion and VLDL-apoB-100 production rate (PR) (p<0.01). Compared with controls, Gly188Glu had higher plasma triglyceride, VLDL- and IDL-apoB-100 concentrations, and lower VLDL- and IDL-apoB-100 FCR (p<0.05). Plasma triglycerides were not different but IDL-apoB-100 concentration and PR, and VLDL-to-IDL conversion were lower in Trp64Stop compared with controls (p<0.05). No differences between controls and Ile194Thr were observed. Conclusions Our results confirm that hypertriglyceridemia is a key feature of familial LPL deficiency. This is due to impaired VLDL- and IDL-apoB-100 catabolism and VLDL-to-IDL conversion. Single allele mutations of the LPL gene result in modest to elevated plasma triglycerides. The changes in plasma triglycerides and apoB-100 kinetics are attributable to the effects of the LPL genotype.

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