Lp(a), homocysteine and a family history of early ischemic cerebral stroke.
OBJECTIVE
High plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and homocysteine (HCY) levels are now considered to be independent risk factors for cerebro- and cardiovascular atherosclerotic occlusive disease, but little is known about the influence of Lp(a) and HCY on the early events of ischemic disease or their significance in subjects with a positive family history of ischemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HCY levels and the severity of ischemic cerebral stroke, and investigate whether there was a correlation between Lp(a) and HCY levels in the stroke patients and their children.


METHODS
The study involved 35 patients with early ischemic cerebral stroke aged 46.1 +/- 6.6 years and their 50 children aged 17.2 +/- 5.5 years. The patients were grouped on the basis of the form of the stroke (transient, progressive or complete stroke), and their levels of Lp(a), HCY, uric acid (UA), fibrinogen (Fb) and factor VII (FVII) activity were measured.


RESULTS
HCY and Lp(a) concentrations increased with the severity of the ischemia, being highest in the patients with complete stroke (15.1 +/- 2.9 mumol/L and 32.9 +/- 37.6 mg/dL respectively). A similar trend was found in the offspring, with the highest HCY and Lp(a) values in the children of complete stroke patients (12.6 +/- 4.4 mumol/L and 23.0 +/- 24.6 mg/dL). The control values were respectively 8.7 +/- 1.6 mumol/L and 5.35 +/- 7.05 mg/dL. The following correlations between the parents and children were noted: Lp(a) (r = 0.87 p < 0.0001), UA (r = 0.71 p < 0.001), HCY (r = 0.45 p < 0.05), FVII (r = 0.45 p < 0.05), and Fb (r = 0.42 p = 0.06). Correlations between Lp(a) and HCY (r = 0.47 p < 0.05) and Fb and FVII (r = 0.60 p < 0.01) were found in the children. Multiple regression analysis revealed that only Lp(a) and Fb significantly influenced HCY levels in the offspring with a positive family history.


CONCLUSIONS
HCY levels correlate with the severity of ischemic cerebral stroke and, in families with a history of ischemic cerebral stroke, the levels of the risk factors in children are determined by the levels in their parents.
Torbus-Lisiecka
B
B
Regional Center for Atherosclerosis Research, Pomeranian Academy of Medicine, 70-111 Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, Poland.
Bukowska
H
H
Jastrzebska
M
M
Chelstowski
K
K
Honczarenko
K
K
Naruszewicz
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D005167:Factor VII / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D006710:Homocysteine; D014527:Uric Acid; D005167:Factor VII; D005340:Fibrinogen