Importance of Lp(a) lipoprotein and HLA genotypes in atherosclerosis and diabetes

Lp(a) lipoprotein [Lp(a)] was found in previous studies to be independently associated with early atherosclerosis and its sequelae. -Lp(a) in vitro bound to glucosaminoglycans and was easily aggregated at physiological Ca 2+ concentration, and small Lp(a) aggregates were phagocytosed by macrophages. Lp(a) was also found to be related to carbohydrate metabolism, and increased Lp(a) levels have been described in diabetic patients with clinical complications and were recently found in rheumathoid arthritis patients. In this study of nondiabetic male patients with documented CAD before 50 years of age and controls, a significant correlation was found between Lp(a) and IGF-1 levels