Treatment of prostate cancer with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue: effect on lipoprotein[a].
Because of its association with cardiovascular disease, lipoprotein[a] (Lp[a]) has attracted the interest of the medical community. Even though serum concentrations of Lp[a] are mainly controlled by the apolipoprotein[a] gene locus, hormonal and metabolic factors, including manipulations of sex hormone levels, have been associated with changes in Lp[a] levels. We report here that the GnRH analog buserelin reduced concentrations of Lp[a] by 48% in elderly males suffering from cancer of the prostate. In contrast, apolipoprotein B levels increased during treatment, whereas other lipid factors, including serum cholesterol, triglyceride, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I, were not affected. Although the study does not exclude a specific Lp(a)-lowering effect of buserelin, our results suggest that GnRH analogs may reduce Lp[a] levels in the circulation.
Arrer
E
E
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Landeskrankenanstalten Salzburg, Austria.
Jungwirth
A
A
Mack
D
D
Frick
J
J
Patsch
W
W
D000368:Aged; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D002064:Buserelin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008055:Lipids; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D013739:Testosterone; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D002064:Buserelin