Lipoprotein (a) levels in African-Americans with NIDDM.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate possible relationships between lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels and NIDDM in African-Americans. The objectives were to identify associations between Lp(a) levels of subjects with and without NIDDM and to determine the influence of glycemic control, determined by GHb, and of mode of therapy on Lp(a) levels.


METHODS
We studied [4] African-American subjects, 103 with NIDDM and 38 without NIDDM. Their Lp(a) levels, GHb levels, and apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)] isoforms were determined. Clinical information, including mode of therapy (sulfonylurea, insulin, or no pharmacological therapy), date of diagnosis, and medical history, was obtained by chart review and patient interview.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in median Lp(a) levels between the non-NIDDM (25.5 mg/dl) and NIDDM (24.0 mg/dl) study subjects. No statistically significant difference was found in Lp(a) levels when NIDDM patients with GHb < 12.3% were compared to those with GHb > or = 12.3% (P = 0.096). An inverse relationship was found between apo(a) root-mean-square isoform size and Lp(a) level (r2 = 0.091, P = 0.0035). Analysis of the cases by mode of therapy indicates that there is evidence of an increased median level of Lp(a) in African-Americans with NIDDM on insulin therapy relative to those on sulfonylurea (34.0 vs. 16.0 mg/dl; P = 0.013) and to nondiabetic subjects (34.0 vs. 25.5 mg/dl; P = 0.043).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the level of plasma Lp(a) is higher in African-Americans with NIDDM who are being treated with insulin when compared to those on sulfonylurea therapy and to those who are non-NIDDM subjects, and this does not seem to be due to genetic variance or method bias.
Scheer
W D
WD
Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Medical School, New Orleans 70112, USA.
Boudreau
D A
DA
Cook
C B
CB
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044383:Black People; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis
D001786:Blood Glucose; D017270:Lipoprotein(a)