APOLIPOPROTEINS AND LIPOPROTEIN PARTICLES IN MOROCCAN PATIENTS WITH PREVIOUS MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

We investigated for the first time in the Moroccan population the rela tionship between lipoprotein particles and the progression of coronary atherosclerosis. Plasma lipid variables, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipo protein-cholesterol, apolipoproteins Al and B, Lp AI, Lp AI:AII, and L p(a) were measured in 40 Moroccan adults who suffered a verified myoca rdial infarction before the age of 50 years. The results were compared with a healthy control group. Plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, and Lp AI:AII levels of patients did not differ significantly from co ntrol subjects. Patients had lower plasma high-density lipoprotein-cho lesterol (P < 0.05), apo AI (P < 0.05), and Lp Al (P < 0.001) than con trol subjects, suggesting that the cholesterol reverse transport syste m is altered in patients with previous myocardial infarction. How ever , patients had higher plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P < 0.001), apo B (P < 0.001), and Lp(a) (P < 0.001): In all patients the best predictor of cardiovascular risk was the independent risk factor Lp(a) plasma level, and the Lp Al plasma level. In this study, the inc reased coronary atherosclerosis risk with elevated plasma levels of ap o B and Lp(a), and with reduced Lp AI, was substantially modified by s moking habits, but not by family history of myocardial infarction.