Description

Intended Use

For the quantitative in vitro determination of Apo C-III in serum or plasma. This product is suitable for automated, semi-automated and manual use.

Clinical Significance

Lipoproteins are large complexes of molecules that transport lipids (primarily triglycerides and cholesterols) through the blood. Apolipoproteins are proteins on the surface of the lipoprotein complex that bind to specific enzymes or transport proteins on the cell membranes. This directs the lipoprotein to the proper site of metabolism.

Apolipoprotein C-III is a 79 amino acid protein synthesised mainly in the liver and to a lesser extent in the intestine. Apo C-III circulates in the plasma in association with triglyceride rich lipoproteins (chylomicrons, VLDL and IDL) and HDL. Apo C-III modulates the uptake of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by the LDL receptor related protein through inhibition of lipoprotein lipase. Elevated levels of Apo C-III are associated with both primary and secondary hypertriglyceridemia.

Genetically determined Apo C-III deficiency in humans has shown to increase the rate of triglyceride clearance from the plasma by 6 to 7-fold. Apo C-III levels have been reported higher in many pathological conditions including Type 2 diabetes, hyperbilirubinemia, kidney deficiency and decreased thyroid function. Factors that influence Apo C-III levels are gender, age, menopause and genetic polymorphisms in the Apo C-III gene.