Methods and apparatus for creating particle derivatives of hdl with reduced lipid content

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems, apparatus and methods for creating derivatives of at least one form of HDL without substantially affecting LDL. These derivatives of HDL are particles with reduced lipid content, particularly reduced cholesterol content. These particles have the capacity to bind cholesterol and are administered to a patient to enhance cellular cholesterol efflux and reduce cholesterol levels in cells, tissues, organs, and blood vessels. The present method is useful for treating atherogenic vascular disease and may be combined with other therapies such as statins, inhibitors of cholesterol absorption, niacin, anti-inflammatories, exercise and dietary restriction.

1 . A kit for performing a method of modifying protein distribution in a fluid,
 wherein the protein distribution in the fluid prior to modification has a first state, the first state having more alpha high density lipoproteins than pre-beta high density lipoproteins,   wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 exposing the fluid to a lipid removing agent wherein the exposure modifies the protein distribution from the first state into a second state, the second state having more pre-beta high density lipoproteins than alpha high density lipoproteins; and, 
 removing the lipid removing agent from the fluid, 
   and wherein the kit comprises:
 a lipid removing agent source container; 
 a mixer comprising at least one of a shaker bag, a static mixer, a vortexer, or a centrifuge; 
 a separator comprising at least one of a bag, a funnel, an absorbent, a separator, a centrifuge, or a charcoal column; 
 an output container for storing the fluid having the modified protein distribution; and 
 a plurality of tubing and a plurality of valves for controlling a flow of the fluid from a source containing the fluid and lipid removing agent from the lipid removing agent source container to the mixer, for controlling a flow of a mixture of the fluid and the lipid removing agent from the mixer to the separator, and for controlling a flow of the fluid having the modified protein distribution from the separator to the output container. 
   
     
     
         2 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the source containing the fluid comprises a container. 
     
     
         3 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a lipid removing agent, wherein the lipid removing agent is stored in the lipid removing agent source container. 
     
     
         4 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the lipid removing agent comprises isoflurane, sevoflurane, diisopropyl ether, diethyl ether, propylether or n-butanol. 
     
     
         5 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the lipid removing agent further comprises ethanol. 
     
     
         6 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the lipid removing agent comprises a combination of a C4 to C8 alcohol and a C4 to C8 ether, a combination of a fluoroether and a C4 to C8 alcohol, or a combination of C4 to C8 ether and a fluoroether. 
     
     
         7 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the lipid removing agent comprises a combination of n-butanol with at least one of hexanol, diethyl ether, propylether, diisopropyl ether, isoflurane, or sevoflurane. 
     
     
         8 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the lipid removing agent comprises a combination of diisopropyl ether with at least one of n-butanol, hexanol, ethanol, isoflurane, sevoflurane or trifluoroethane. 
     
     
         9 . The kit of  claim 3 , wherein the lipid removing agent comprises a combination of sevoflurane with at least one of n-butanol, hexanol, ethanol, isoflurane, diisopropyl ether, or trifluoroethane. 
     
     
         10 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the mixer is a shaker bag. 
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the separator is a bag. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the separator is a funnel bag. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the separator is a charcoal column. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the mixer is adapted to be positioned higher than the separator such that the mixture of the fluid and the lipid removing agent moves from the mixer to the separator by a force of gravity. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the separator is adapted to be positioned higher than a waste container such that waste fluid moves from the separator to the waste container by a force of gravity. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a charcoal column in addition to the separator.