Elevated Lipoprotein(a) does not promote early atherosclerotic changes of the carotid arteries in young, healthy adults.
BACKGROUND
Elevated levels of Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] have been linked to an increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular events. Yet the mechanism by which Lp(a) might contribute to this increased risk is not clear.


METHODS
To elucidate whether high plasma levels of Lp(a) contribute to the development of early atherosclerotic vessel wall changes, the intima-media thickness of the common carotid arteries [CCA-IMT] of 151 healthy young volunteers without additional relevant cardiovascular risk factors was measured by high-resolution ultrasound. Plasma concentrations of Lp(a) were quantified and other established risk factors, such as body mass index [BMI], plasma levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and homocysteine, were determined. Furthermore, the carotid arteries were examined for the presence of plaques and stenoses.


RESULTS
Univariate analysis showed a significantly negative correlation of CCA-IMT with HDL cholesterol and positive correlations with age, BMI, total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and even with homocysteine, but not with Lp(a). When the study population was dichotomized according to Lp(a) levels, no statistically significant differences in CCA-IMT could be detected between persons with plasma Lp(a)<300mg/l or >or=300mg/l, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that elevated Lp(a) levels alone do not contribute to increased cardiovascular risk by promoting early atherogenesis in vivo.
Grebe
M T
MT
Department of Cardiology and Angiology, Medical Clinic I, University Clinic Giessen, Klinikstr. 36, 35385 Giessen, Germany. Mathias.Grebe@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
Schoene
E
E
Schaefer
C A
CA
Boedeker
R H
RH
Kemkes-Matthes
B
B
Voss
R
R
Tillmanns
H H
HH
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D014280:Triglycerides; D006710:Homocysteine