Serum apolipoprotein H and its relationship to lipids and other apolipoproteins in normal human men and women

Apolipoprotein H (apo H), also known as beta-2-glycoprotein I, has recently become of considerable interest in the field of haemostasis. Because of th e possible involvement of apo H in lipid pathways, we wished to test the hy pothesis that the serum concentration of apo H was related to serum lipids and other apolipoproteins in normal individuals. One hundred and twenty-thr ee healthy young subjects (67 women and 56 men) aged 22.7 +/- 0.70 years (m ean +/- SD) were recruited. Serum level of apo H was higher in male subject s that in age-matched female subjects (167.6 +/- 47.5 mg/l versus 148.8 +/- 30.5 mg/l; P < 0.04). Serum levels of apo H were significantly correlated with serum concentration of cholesterol, but only in female subjects (r = 0 .28, P < 0.02). No significant correlations were found between serum levels of apo H and triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apo Al, apo B or lipoprotein (a) in either of the sexes. Blood Coag Fibrinol 10:197 -200 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.