title: Lipoprotein(a) and LDL particle size are related to the severity of coronary artery disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathophysiological role and metabolic pathway of Lp(a) have not been clearly defined. An association between Lp(a) and oxidative low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were recently reported. And small dense LDL (sd-LDL) were associated with circulating malondialdehyde-modified LDL. We investigated the relationships between serum Lp(a) level and LDL particle size in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Further, we investigated the relationships of sd-LDL and Lp(a) with the extent and severity of CAD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 490 patients (mean: 60.5 +/- 11.5 years old) who underwent coronary angiography to evaluate chest pain were investigated. Patients were classified into two groups, a CAD group (n = 256), who had significant stenosis observed by coronary angiogram, and a control group (n = 234), who had normal, or minimal coronary arteries. CAD severity was measured by Gensini scores. The distribution of the LDL subfraction was analyzed using a Quantimetrix Lipoprint LDL System.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum Lp(a) concentration was correlated with the fraction of sd-LDL (r = 0.193, p < 0.001) and mean LDL size (r = 0.160, p = 0.003). The Lp(a) level and mean LDL particle size were significantly correlated with a high Gensini score. LDL particle size in the CAD group was smaller than in the control group (26.74 +/- 0.64 vs. 26.43 +/- 0.93 nm, p < 0.001). The Gensini score was significantly higher in small LDL with high Lp(a) level groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The positive correlation of the level of Lp(a) and sd-LDL fraction were demonstrated. The mechanism of this association is not clearly defined; we can suggest that it may stem from the individual atherogenic condition that linked to increased oxidative stress. Both increased Lp(a) and sd-LDL fraction were correlated with the severity of CAD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Youn
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Hyuck Moon
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Sung Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Se-Jung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Jung-Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung-Ju
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jong Kwan
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ji-Hyuck
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Young Won
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Bum-Kee
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Se-Joong
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rim
authors.forename: Hyun Seung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D017270:Lipoprotein(a)