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Test ID: CHLE    
Cholesteryl Esters, Serum

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Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Establishing a diagnosis of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency

 

Evaluating the extent of metabolic disturbance by bile stasis or liver disease

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Cholesterol in the blood serum normally is 60% to 80% esterified with fatty acids, largely as a result of the action of the enzyme lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), which circulates in the blood in association with the high-density lipoproteins. LCAT transfers an acyl group for lecithin to cholesterol.

 

Familial deficiency of LCAT is uncommon, usually occurring individuals of northern Europe descent, and is associated with erythrocyte abnormalities (target cells) and decreased (20% or less) esterification of plasma cholesterol. This is associated with early atherosclerosis, corneal opacification, hyperlipidemia, and mild hemolytic anemia.

 

Persons with liver disease may have impaired formation of LCAT and, therefore, a secondary deficiency of this enzyme and of esterified plasma cholesterol.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

60-80% of total cholesterol

Reference values have not been established for patients that are <16 years of age.

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

In patients with LCAT deficiency, the concentration of unesterified cholesterol in serum may increase 2 to 5 times the normal value, resulting in a decrease in esterified serum cholesterol to 20% or less of the total serum cholesterol.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Cholesteryl ester storage disease in a severe form can be fatal before the age of 1 year (Wolman's disease), and in some cases may be undetected until adulthood in less severe forms. This defect is caused by a deficiency of a lysosomal enzyme, acid cholesteryl ester hydrolase (also known as acid lipase). It causes accumulation of cholesteryl esters in tissues, but it has no effect on the percentage of cholesterol that circulates in esterified form in the blood serum. Detection of the defect requires careful evaluation of the cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity and cholesteryl ester content of leukocytes, cultured fibroblasts, and liver biopsy.

Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Glomset JA, Assmann G, Gjone E, Norum KR: Lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency and fish eye disease. In The Metabolic Basis of Inherited Disease. 7th edition. Edited by CR Scriver, AL Beaudet, WS Sly, D Valle. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1995, pp 1933-1951