Abstract
Lp(a) is a lipoprotein with unknown physiological role. All we know for sure is that individuals with high Lp(a) levels are at an increased atherosclerosis risk. The Lp(a) plasma concentration correlates inversly with the molecular weight of the apo-a isoform; this is valid, however, only in healthy persons belonging to one ethnic group. Diseases, e.g. liver or kidney damage, pregnancy and menopause profundly alter plasma Lp(a) levels, and it also appears that fertile women have higher levels as compared to man.
Many studies of various laboratories demonstrate that plasma Lp(a) concentrations correlate with the incidence of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. In the healthy white western population, a treshold level of approx. 25 mg/dl seems to exist below which no increased atherosclerosis risk may be evident. This value certainely has to be adapted for different ethnic groups, as well as for individuals suffering from diseases known to influence Lp(a). Unfortunately we know today only little about the possible therapeutic manipulation of plasma Lp(a) concentrations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Berg, K. (1963) ‘A new serum type system in man - the Lp system’, Acta Pathol. Microbiol. Scand. 59, 369–382.
Kostner, G. M. (1976) ‘Lp(a) lipoproteins and the genetic polymorphisms in of lipoprotein B’, C. E. Day and R. S. Levy eds, Low Density Lipoproteins, Plenum Press,229–269.
Kostner, G. M., Krempler, F. and Sandhofer, F. (1981) ‘The lipoprotein Lp(a): Structure, metabolism and significance for vascular diseases’, Adv. Physol. Sci (Pergamon), 12, 527–534.
Kostner, G. M. (1988) ‘The affection of lipoprotein-a by lipid lowering drugs’, Recents Aspects of Diagnosis and Treatment of Lipoprotein Disorders, Alan R. Liss Inc., 255–263.
McLean J. W.,Tomlinson, J. E., Scanu, A. M. and Lawn, R. M. (1987) ‘DNA sequences of humen apolipoprotein-a is homologous to plasminogen’, Naturte 300, 132–137.
Utermann, G., Menzel, H. J., Kraft H. G.,.Uba, H. C., Kremmler, H. G., and Seitz, (1987) ‘Lp(a) glycoprotein phenotypes’, J. Clin. Invest. 80, 458–465.
Dahlen, G., Erikson, C., Furberg, C. and Lundquist K. (1972) ‘Studies on an extra pre-ß lipoprotein fraction’,Acta Med. Scand. Suppl.,531, 1–35.
Kostner, G. M., Avogaro, P., Cazzolato, G., Marth, E., and Bittolo Bob, G., (1981) ‘Lipoprotein lp(a) and the risk for myocardial infarction’, Atherosclerosis, 38, 51–61.
Höfler, G., Harnoncourt, F., Paschke, E., Mirt, W., Pfeiffer, K. P., and Kostner, G. M., (1988) ‘Lipoprotein Lp(a). A risk factor for myocardial infarctio’, Arteriosclerosis, 8, 398–401.
Strobl, W., Widhalm, K., Kostner, G. M. and Pollak, A. (1983) ‘Serum apolipoproteins and Lp(a) in the first week of life’, Acta Paediatr. Scand., 72, 505–509.
Pagnan, A., Kostner, G. M., Braggion, M, and Ziron, L., (1982) ‘Relationship between sinking prelipoprotein (Lp(a)) and age in a family kindred’, Gerontology, 28, 381–385.
Zechner, R., Desoye, G., Schweditsch, M., Pfeiffer, K. H. and Kostner G. M., (1986) ‘Fluctuation of plasma lipoprotein lp(a) levels during pregnancy and post partum’, Metabolism, 35, 333–336.
Marth, E., Cazzolato, G., Bittolo Bon, G., Avogaro, P. and Kostner G. M., (1982) ‘Serum concentrations of Lp(a) and other lipoprotein parameters in heavy alcohol consumers’, Ann. Nutrit.Metabol., 26, 56–62.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kostner, G.M. (1990). Hyperlipoproteinemia of lipoprotein Lp(a). In: Descovich, G., Gaddi, A., Magri, G., Lenzi, S. (eds) Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0731-7_17
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0731-7_17
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6814-7
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0731-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive