SERUM LIPOPROTEIN(a) LEVEL IN SUBJECTS FREE OF CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS-RELATED DISEASES: THE RELATIONSHIP WITH LIPID AND GLUCOSE METABOLISM PARAMETERS AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS

Abstract

Aim of the study – in subjects without any signs of atherosclerosis to study the associations between blood serum level of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) from one hand, and lipoprotein profile, insulinmediated glucose utilization parameters and pulse wave velocity (PWV), from the other. Material and methods. Totally 202 subjects (68 men, 134 women) aged 25–75 years without clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis-related diseases but with cardiovascular disease risk factors were included into the study. Blood lipid and carbohydrate parameters were measured by standard methods, serum concentration of Lp(a), apolipoproteins (apo) AI, AII, and B – immunoturbidimetrically. PWV was used as a measure of arterial stiffness. Results. Serum level of Lp(a) positively correlated with apo B concentration (R=0,143; p=0,043) and negatively with apo АII content (R=–0,286; p<0,0001). No associations between Lp(a) level and glucose metabolism parameters were found. At the same time, the comparison in groups differed by Lp(a) level according to the highest quintile of its distribution, showed that in subjects with elevated Lp(a) (≥ 50 mg/dl), PWV, apo AII concentration, and postprandial glycemia were lower, while apo B concentration and apo B/apo AI ratio were higher, than in those with Lp(a) < 50 mg/dl. Subjects with high Lp(a) level have upward trend to increased frequency of atherosclerotic plaques presence in carotid arteries. Conclusions. The relationship between elevated Lp(a) level with the initial stages of atherosclerosis was found; however, this association wasn’t coupled with increased arterial stiffness. Higher Lp(a) level positively correlated with apo B concentration and negatively with apo AII content. The relationship between Lp(a) and glucose level was observed only after glucose load in glucose tolerance test and might be explained by more favorable glycemic control in subjects with increased Lp(a) level.

Keywords

• lipoprotein(a)
• apolipoprotein aii
• pulse wave velocity