Helicobacter pylori is associated with modified lipid profile: impact on Lipoprotein(a).
OBJECTIVE
Helicobacter pylori is a controversial risk factor for atherosclerosis. We investigated whether the bacterium persistent inflammation or the expression of the cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) may affect serum lipids as well as Lipoprotein(a).


METHODS
Two hundred-eleven healthy volunteers were evaluated for lipids and Lipoprotein(a). Helicobacter pylori was characterized by Urea Breath Test and IgG-anti-CagA. apo(a) Kringle-IV polymorphism was genotyped.


RESULTS
Prevalence of the infection was 72%; 43% of subjects expressed CagA reactivity. Infected subjects showed increased levels of cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol atherogenic index. Association with the Helicobacter pylori CagA(-) strains persisted after the adjustment for covariates. Significant difference between infected and uninfected subjects was found in Lipoprotein(a) levels. This difference did not arise from the Kringle-IV genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
The infection per se significantly modified serum lipid and Lipoprotein(a) concentrations. CagA does not seem to be a reliable marker of pathogenicity for the atherogenic complications of H. pylori infection.
Chimienti
G
G
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Russo
F
F
Lamanuzzi
B L
BL
Nardulli
M
M
Messa
C
C
Di Leo
A
A
Correale
M
M
Giannuzzi
V
V
Pepe
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005838:Genotype; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; C080866:cagA protein, Helicobacter pylori; D002784:Cholesterol