Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the assessment of cholesterol esterification through physiologically relevant pathways and incorporates the function of individual subject's endogenous HDL particles. This ex vivo approach avoids the use of an artificial substrate and provides for determination of LCAT activity that includes both the contribution of a subject's endogenous HDL function and endogenous LCAT protein, and is therefore a significant improvement to the biologic relevance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the isolation of high density lipoprotein (HDL) or HDL-like particles. The method of the present invention provides for the isolation of a more highly purified HDL that requires substantially less time than standard methods. The present invention relates to an improved method for the isolation of high density lipoprotein or HDL-like particles comprising the steps of precipitation of apoprotein B-containing proteins and a single ultracentrifugation to recover high density lipoprotein or HDL-like particles.