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Variations in the blood levels of total cholesterol (C), triglycerides, low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDLPC , HDLPC ) and atherogenicity ratio were examined over time in 4841 men and 2323 women living in Leningrad. The mean values of the parameters studied were established for different age groups. Considerable differences were revealed in the blood lipid profile in men versus women. Higher levels of HDLPC and lower concentrations of LDLPC in women under 50 as compared with age-matched men account for a later development and milder course of coronary heart disease in premenopausal women.

An ability of high density lipoproteins HDL3 to accept cholesterol from erythrocyte membranes was studied in healthy persons and in patients with ischemic disease of heart. The cholesterol-acceptory function was estimated as follows: by incorporation of fluorescent probes (cholestatriene and pyrene) into particles of HDL3, by elimination of cholesterol from erythrocyte membranes and by increase of the lipoproteins size evaluated using the method of quazi-resilient dispersion of laser light. In ischemic disease of heart the property of high density lipoproteins, specifically of HDL3 fraction, to accept cholesterol from cell membranes was impaired. Middle size of HDL3 particles was decreased in the patients with ischemic heart disease as compared with that of healthy persons.

The mean cholesterol content in erythrocytes of patients, which are not impaired by hepatic diseases is 1.26 +/- 0.02 X 10-13 g/cell and it is not depended on the plasma cholesterol level.