Liquid crystalline lipid in the plasma of humans with biliary obstruction.

Plasma lipoprotein characteristics were evaluated in a group of patients with obstructed biliary tracts. A 1:1 molar lecithin-free cholesterol liquid crystal phase was observed in the low density flotation region of these patients. The smectic nature of this mesophase was confirmed by electron microscopy, polarized microscopy, and low angle X-ray scattering.