Abnormal circulating cholesterol concentration Decreased low-density lipoprotein particle size 2019-01-19T12:51:21Z An abnormal decrease in the average size of low-density lipoprotein particle size in the blood circulation. Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease. LDL particles are the major cholesterol-carrying lipoproteins in the blood circulation, consisting of a hydrophobic core of cholesterol esters and triglycerides surrounded by phospholipds, free cholesterol, and one molecule of apolipoprotein B-100 on the surface of the molecule. The LDL particle population is heterogeneous with the respect to size, density and composition. Distinct subpopulations vary in isoelectric point, electrical charge, hydrodynamic properties and immunoreactivity.