title: The effect of different apo(a) isoforms on plasminogen activation in black South African subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study evaluates the effect of different apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] isofroms on plasminogen activation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A rural village (Dikgale district) in the Northen Province of South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 90 apparently healthy subjects (64 females and 36 males) aged 43 to 67 years participated in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean lipoprotein(a) [ Lp(a)] level in the subjects was 38.14 +/- 22.34 mg/dl. No association was found between Lp(a) isoforms. When the ratio of Lp(a):plasminogen was less then 1.3, a competitive inhibition was observed, but when the ratio exceeded 1.3, an uncompetitive inhibition was observed with all isoforms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study suggest that the inhibition of plasminogen activation by Lp(a) is not dependent of apo(a) size.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Science, University of the North, Polokwane (Pietersburg), South Africa.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Choma
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alberts
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Potgieter
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ojwang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood*; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006951:Hyperlipoproteinemias / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D011336:Probability; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D020033:Protein Isoforms; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator