title: Lipoprotein(a) in cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an LDL-like molecule consisting of an apolipoprotein B-100 (apo(B-100)) particle attached by a disulphide bridge to apo(a). Many observations have pointed out that Lp(a) levels may be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Lp(a) inhibits the activation of transforming growth factor (TGF) and contributes to the growth of arterial atherosclerotic lesions by promoting the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and the migration of smooth muscle cells to endothelial cells. Moreover Lp(a) inhibits plasminogen binding to the surfaces of endothelial cells and decreases the activity of fibrin-dependent tissue-type plasminogen activator. Lp(a) may act as a proinflammatory mediator that augments the lesion formation in atherosclerotic plaques. Elevated serum Lp(a) is an independent predictor of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, Lp(a) levels should be a marker of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, saphenous vein bypass graft atherosclerosis, and accelerated coronary atherosclerosis of cardiac transplantation. Finally, the possibility that Lp(a) may be a risk factor for ischemic stroke has been assessed in several studies. Recent findings suggest that Lp(a)-lowering therapy might be beneficial in patients with high Lp(a) levels. A future therapeutic approach could include apheresis in high-risk patients in order to reduce major coronary events.
authors.affiliation: International Ph. D. Program in Neuropharmacology, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy. m.malaguarnera@email.it
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vacante
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
authors.forename: Tijana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Antic
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bella
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pennisi
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galvano
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frigiola
mesh_terms: D017130:Angioplasty / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100 / Q000378:metabolism; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000378:metabolism*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020521:Stroke / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D053299:Apolipoprotein B-100; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D015291:Transforming Growth Factors; D010959:Tissue Plasminogen Activator