Is lipoprotein(a) regulating prostaglandin I2-synthesis stimulating plasma factor?
BACKGROUND
Lipoprotein(a) - Lp(a) is accepted as an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. The mechanism, however, and how it exerts its pathogenetic role is still unclear. More than a decade ago a deficiency of prostacyclin synthesis stimulating plasma factor (PF) was claimed to be associated with an increased Lp(a).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospective analysis was to assess whether elevated Lp(a) is associated with a PF-deficiency and whether certain risk factors may exert influence.


METHODS
In a total of 185 patients (131 men and 54 women), aged 30-85 years, suffering from clinically manifested atherosclerosis risk factor profile, lipids, lipoproteins and PF under drug intake were evaluated.


RESULTS
Patients with absent PF-activity did not differ concerning age, height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference and different lipid and lipoprotein parameters. Mean Lp(a) in patients with absent PF-activity was 18 vs. 94 mg/dl (p < 0.001). Laboratory parameters such as C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, protein 5, protein C, activated protein C resistance and others were not different. In patients with normal (< 30 mg/dl) Lp(a) only 4 males (3.4%) and 3 females (4.8%) had PF-deficiency, while the Lp(a) cut-off of 30 mg/dl the prevalence was 61.1% males and 64.4.% females.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that the association of PF-deficiency with increased Lp(a), at least in part, could contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in these patients.
Sinzinger
Helmut
H
Institute for Diagnosis and Treatment of Atherosclerosis and Lipid Disorders (ATHOS), Vienna, Austria. helmut.sinzinger@chello.at
Ruppert
Ernst
E
Laimer
Herbert
H
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D001685:Biological Factors; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); C057670:prostacyclin synthesis stimulating plasma factor; D011464:Epoprostenol