Lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, and retinal arteriosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and homocysteine (Hcy) have been implicated as risk factors for vascular diseases. The study was performed to explore the possible relationship between retinal arteriosclerosis and serum Lp(a) and Hcy levels.


METHODS
Study subjects consisted of 80 nonsmoking male patients with retinal arteriosclerosis and 54 healthy nonsmoker males as controls. Retinal arteriosclerosis was graded according to the Scheie classification. Serum levels of lipids, lipoproteins, Lp(a), and Hcy were measured by standard methods.


RESULTS
The serum level of Hcy was higher in patients (24.2+/-8.1 micromol/l) than controls (10.5+/-4.1 micromol/l); p<0.01. Serum levels of Lp(a) in patients (47.9+/-33.1 mg/dl) was also higher than controls (11.7+/-7.6 mg/dl); p<0.01. There was a significant direct linear correlation between the degree of retinal arteriosclerosis and Lp(a) level (r=0.61, p<0.01), the degree of retinal arteriosclerosis and Hcy level (r=0.72, p<0.01), and also between Lp(a) and Hcy levels (r=0.67, p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The association between retinal arteriosclerosis and serum Lp(a) and Hcy levels suggests that Lp(a) as well as Hcy could play a role in the development of retinal arteriosclerosis.
Ghorbanihaghjo
Amir
A
Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ghorbaniamir@hotmail.com
Javadzadeh
Alireza
A
Argani
Hassan
H
Nezami
Nariman
N
Rashtchizadeh
Nadereh
N
Rafeey
Mandana
M
Rohbaninoubar
Mohammad
M
Rahimi-Ardabili
Babak
B
D000368:Aged; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012372:ROC Curve; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology
D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D006710:Homocysteine