RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIPOPROTEIN(A) LEVELS IN SERUM AND SOME INDEXES OF PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS IN LIVER-CIRRHOSIS

Recent research has demonstrated that the major site of apolipoprotein (a) synthesis, the characteristic protein of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), i s the liver and that patients affected by liver cirrhosis have low ser um concentrations of Lp(a). Nevertheless, it is still not clear whethe r Lp(a) behaviour in these patients is related to reduced hepatic prot ein synthesis, or to decreased serum lipid levels or to both these con ditions. In order to investigate further the behaviour of Lp(a) and, i n particular, its relationship with some indices of blood lipids and c oagulation, 30 patients affected by liver cirrhosis have been studied. Significantly low serum values of Lp(a) were observed in patients wit h more severe hepatic injury included in classes B and C according to the Child-Pugh score. Lipoprotein(a) was directly correlated with prot hrombin plasma activity and with apolipoprotein B-100 and albumin conc entrations in serum. This study confirms low serum levels of Lp(a) in cirrhotic patients and suggests that its decrease could be partly due to impaired liver protein synthesis.