Quantitative evaluation of serum apolipoprotein AI (apo AI) isoforms through densitometric analysis following isoelectric focusing (IEF) is described. The apo AI isoforms were identified by immunoblotting. By combining these techniques, a qualitatively invariant pattern was observed in 54 serum samples, obtained from 27 men and 27 women. Peak 1 (proapo AI, pI 5.75) accounts for about 8% of the total densitometric area, peak 3 (apo AIzero, pI 5.59) for about 74%, peak 4 (apo AI-1, pI 5.42) for about 13%, and peak 5 (apo AI-2, pI 5.37) for about 5%. In some subjects, the proportion of proapo AI was increased. Variations of the ratio of the different apo AI isoforms may be due to modification of the fractional catabolic rate of this apolipoprotein. The procedure proposed in this study may be useful for the evaluation of quantitative abnormalities in apo AI isoforms involved in the development of coronary heart diseases (CHD).