Advances in Relationship Between Lipoprotein(a) and Atherosclerosis

Lipoprotein(a) consists of low density lipoprotein(LDL) and the unique constituent apolipoprotein(a).Elevated plasma lipoprotein(a) level is an independent risk factor of atherosclerotic disorders and cardiovascular disease.Lipoprotein(a) not only can participate in the formation of atheromatous plaque but also affect the anti-inflammatory mechanism and the balance between procoagulant and anticoagulant agents of the blood vessel wall.Plasma lipoprotein(a) levels which are under strong genetic control can be quite different between individuals.Lipoprotein(a) plasma levels are relatively resistant to many pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic agents,effective and safe approaches to lower Lipoprotein(a) plasma level in clinic are still lacking.However,in recent years,researchers have found a few methods to lower lipoprotein(a) level in laboratory,such as antisense oligonucleotides and synthetic peptides,but further researches are needed when use them as new therapic methods.This paper reviewed the recent research advances in relationship between lipoprotein(a) and atherosclerosis.