APOLIPOPROTEIN (A) PHENOTYPES AND LIPOPROTEIN (A) CONCENTRATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE-III HYPERLIPOPROTEINEMIA

Objectives, The familial lipoprotein disorder type III hyperlipoprotei naemia (HLP) carries a marked increase in the risk of accelerated and premature atherosclerosis, but there is considerable variation amongst affected individuals-in their susceptibility to cardiovascular diseas e (CVD). Therefore, it was the aim of our study to investigate the pos sible influence of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] in the pathogenesis of type m HLP. Design. Apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)] phenotypes and Lp(a) conce ntrations were determined in patients with the disease and in an appro priate control group. Setting. University out-patient lipid disorder c linic. Subjects. Seventy-six apoE-2 homozygous patients with type III HLP and 76 normolipidaemic and healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Main outcome measures. The frequencies of different apo(a) phenotypes and their correlations with Lp(a) serum concentrations were determined in patients and controls. Results. Lp(a) concentrations were not sign ificantly different in type III HLP patients (14.1 +/- 19.1 mg dl(-1)) as compared with the controls (13.3 +/- 16.2 mg dl(-1); P = 0.549, NS ). In addition, there was no significant difference in apo(a) phenotyp e frequencies amongst both groups (0.2 > P > 0.1). Conclusions. We con clude that the apo(a) polymorphism does not participate (to a signific ant extent) in the phenotypical expression of type III HLP.