SERUM LIPOPROTEIN(A) CONCENTRATION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE RECEIVING HEMODIALYSIS - INFLUENCE OF APOLIPOPROTEIN(A) GENETIC-POLYMORPHISM

Serum lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) was measured in 101 men with end-stage ch ronic renal failure (CRF) receiving haemodialysis and in 101 age-match ed male controls. Apolipoprotein(a) genetic polymorphism was determine d by immunoblotting in 100 patients and in 92 controls. Patients with CRF on haemodialysis had significantly greater serum Lp(a) than contro ls. Apolipoprotein(a) phenotype frequencies in patients with CRF did n ot differ from those of the control group. Both patients and controls with phenotype S2 had greater serum Lp(a) than those with phenotype S4 . It should be emphasized that serum Lp(a) was significantly greater i n patients on haemodialysis than controls, both for those with phenoty pe S2 and those with S4. Increased serum Lp(a) together with other lip oprotein abnormalities in patients with CRF on haemodialysis imply an increased cardiovascular risk. Genetic polymorphism clearly influences serum Lp(a) both in controls and patients. In the latter group CRF it self, dialysis, or both, also play a role in increasing Lp(a).