Sensitive methods to study human apolipoprotein B metabolism using stable isotope-labeled amino acids

A multicompartmental model of stable isotope methodology is developed to examine apolipoprotein B kinetics in very low density lipoprotein subfractions, intermediate density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein. The methodology is independent of dose and administration protocol. It provides estimates for the rates of production, interconversion, and catabolism of individual lipoproteins. Values for apolipoprotein B input agree with the results obtained by radioiodinated tracer techniques.