Chylomicron Triglyceride (Fluids, Plasma)

Diagnostic Use

Chylomicrons, which transport dietary and biliary lipids through the lymphatic system to the blood, are the vehicles of exogenous lipid transport of long chain fatty acids and cholesterol.

Chylomicrons are secreted at all times entering circulation and travelling to various tissues. After secretion they acquire additional Apo proteins, including Apo E, apo C-I, apoC-II and apo C-III from HDL in lymph and blood plasma. Chylomicrons bind rapidly to lipoprotein lipase, which is bound to the surface of blood capillaries, mainly in muscle and adipose tissue. This binding is followed by rapid hydrolysis of most of the component triglycerides and some of the phospholipids in the particle. Free fatty acids then become available for the cell to utilise at energy or as building blocks for other biochemicals.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

LIPE + FLUD - for Pleural fluids / LIPU - for plasma

Synonyms

Chyle Triglyceride

Turnaround Time

14 days

Test Code

4159

Specimen Type

• Plasma
• Fluid

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Acceptable

• Pottle

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

No of Samples Required

2

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)

Acceptable

• Pottle

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

3

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Additional Specimen Information

4 mL pleural fluid or 2 x 4 mL EDTA(Lavender)

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

4

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

4 mL pleural fluid,serum or plasma. Store fridge

Interpretation

“Pleural fluids with a triglyceride concentration above 1.24 mmol/L have a 99%chance of being chylos whereas those with a concentration below 0.57 mmol/L have no more than a 5% chance.

Lipoprotein electrophoresis may be helpful by confirming the presence of chylomicra.”

Ann Clin Biochem 2001;38:311-22. Tarn AC, Lapworth R.

Reference Intervals

Not normally detected in a fasting sample.

Pleural fluids have a Cholesterol and Triglyceride and Lipid Electrophoresis only. A Detected or Not Detected comment is added.

Test Method

Ultracentrifugation for Plasma, Lipid electrophoresis for fluids.

Contact Canterbury Health Laboratories on +64 3 364 0484 or email LabInfo@cdhb.health.nz

Additional Costing Information

Can be tested for in plasma or pleural fluid

Contact Information

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