THE RELATIONSHIP OF VARIOUS FACTORS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

In this study we investigated the levels of lipid parameters, fibronec tin, tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhib itor (t-PA-PAI-1) complex and sialidase in patients with coronary hear t disease and a control group. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-de nsity lipoprotein (LDL). and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) chole sterol and lipoprotein Lp(a), levels in patients with coronary heart d isease were found to be significantly higher than in the control group (p <.001). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in patie nt group were significantly lower than control group (p <.001). Plasma fibronectin and t-PA-PAI-1 complex levels in patients with coronary h eart disease were found to be significantly higher than control group (p <.05 and p <.001, respectively). In addition, we found that serum s ialidase levels in patients with coronary heart disease were significa ntly higher than in the control group (p <.001). The electrophoretic m obility of lipoproteins from patients with coronary heart disease was found to be greater than those from the control group. As a result Lp( a) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis b y causing foam cell formation because of interacting with LDL or fibro nectin and by interfering with the fibrinolytic system because of bind ing to plasminogen receptors. In addition, modifications of Lp(a) (inc luding desialylation) may effect these events.