title: Lipoprotein(a) levels in centenarians.
abstract: In elderly subjects (above 65 years), cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases are known to contribute to the death rate. Serum lipoprotein(a) = Lp(a), a low density lipoprotein, is involved in the atherogenic processes, as confirmed by several clinical trials. We evaluated serum Lp(a) levels in a group of centenarians (15 females and 7 males, mean age 102.81 +/- 2.5 years) compared to 25 healthy control subjects (10 males and 15 females, mean age 51.12 +/- 15.34 years). In all subjects Lp(a) serum levels were determined by ELISA method (EIA mod. 2550 reader). Statistical analysis of the results was performed by using the Student's t test. In centenarians the mean Lp(a) level increased (39.6 +/- 23.53 mg/dl) compared to that of the control group (16.78 +/- 16.24 mg/dl) (p < 0.005). The elevated Lp(a) values observed in centenarians may be attributed to the presence of low molecular weight lipoprotein isoforms which are known to be associated with cardio-cerebrovascular risk. Therefore, it seems that elevated Lp(a) levels alone are not risk factors for the onset of acute acute vascular accidents and do not influence longevity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Catania, Cannizzaro Hospital, Via Messina, 829, l-951 26 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruello
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Receputo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rapisarda
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Restuccia
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pistone