title: [Lipoprotein(a) and plasma lipids in 429 elderly and very old subjects: significance as risk factor, effect of nutrition and life style].
abstract: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] was discovered in 1962. Lp(a) consists of an LDL particle linked to apolipoprotein(a). The latter shows large genetically determined interindividual variation in size. The close relationship of apo(a) to plasminogen suggests interactions with coagulation. Epidemiological studies established Lp(a) as an independent cardiovascular risk factor. In a follow-up to the Basel Study, we measured Lp(a) in 429 healthy men and women aged 65-95. The influence of nutrition and lifestyle and correlation with plasma lipids and other cardiovascular risk factors was analyzed. The mean concentration was 416 +/- 266 mg/l (median 320 mg/l). Lp(a) concentration did not differ between men and women. In contrast to the simultaneously determined lipid fractions, Lp(a) concentration is lower with increasing age. The correlation with plasma cholesterol is low but statistically significant (p < 0.01). Higher Lp(a) values were associated with a history of myocardial infarction and anticoagulant medication (p < 0.01). Other risk factors did not correlate with Lp(a). There was a low but statistically significant correlation between low Lp(a) and regular intake of vitamin pills. Our results confirm the association of longer life expectancy with low Lp(a) concentration, which are to a large extent independent of external factors. Thus, Lp(a) could be a true longevity gene.
authors.affiliation: Geriatrische Universitätsklinik, Kantonsspital Basel.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heinimann
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Stähelin
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perrig-Chiello
authors.forename: W O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Perrig
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ehrsam
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Krings
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D000886:Anthropometry; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008019:Life Style; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D012307:Risk Factors; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D014815:Vitamins; D002784:Cholesterol