Test Details
Apolipoprotein B (apoB)
ApoB is a protein produced in the liver and intestine that provides structure to triglyceride (TG) carrying atherogenic lipoprotein particles. Each particle carries only one apoB protein. Thus, apoB is a direct measure of the number of atherogenic particles in the bloodstream. ApoB is also a surrogate marker for LDL particle concentration or LDL particle number since LDL comprises about 90% of the atherogenic lipoprotein particles.
- Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
- Intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL)
- Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
- Lp(a)
- Chylomicrons
Methodology
Immunoturbidimetric
Patient Preparation
None
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL serum (0.5 mL minimum) collected in serum separator tube (SST/Tiger Top)
Alternate Specimen
1.0 mL EDTA plasma (0.5 mL minimum) collected in plasma separator tube (Pearl Top)
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (ship on frozen cold packs)
Stability
Refrigerated: 8 days
Lab Values
Apolipoprotein B (apoB)
- Optimal: <80 mg/dL
- Borderline: 80–120 mg/dL
- Increased Risk: >120 mg/dL
Clinical Significance
Apolipoprotein B (apoB)
Elevated levels of apoB are significant predictors of heart disease and are a more significant indicator of CVD than LDL-C.1
References:
- Tsai MY, Steff en BT, Guan W, et al. New automated assay of small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol identifies risk of coronary heart disease: the Multi-ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2014;34(1):196-201.
Treatment Options
Apolipoprotein B (apoB)
- Lifestyle modification
- Statins
- Niacin
- Fibrates
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
- Bile acid sequestrants
