ELEVATED SERUM LIPOPROTEIN(A) LEVELS IN YOUNG-WOMEN WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

Elevated serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels increase the risk of card iovascular disease if levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are al so high, The biological function of Lp(a) is unknown, but plasma level s may be elevated in inflammatory disease. Endometriosis is a common g ynecologic disorder in which endometrial tissue is found outside of th e lining of the uterine cavity. There is an immune component to this c ondition whereby the number of peritoneal macrophages is increased and the level of prostanoids and cytokines in peritoneal fluid is elevate d. In the present study, we measured serum lipid, lipoprotein, and apo lipoprotein levels in 29 women with endometriosis and in 29 matched he althy controls. Easting serum triglyceride and apolipoprotein (ape) Al levels were higher in women with endometriosis (+28.1%, P<.001, and 12.3%, P<.01, respectively), but there were no significant differences in LDL or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Serum Lp (a) levels were fivefold higher (P<.01) in the patients (median, 15.0 mg/dL; range, 0.05 to 60.0) than in controls (median, 3.1 mg/dL; range , 0.05 to 57.2). The distribution of apo(a) isoforms was similar in th e two groups, but in women with endometriosis the individual apo(a) is oforms tended to be associated with higher serum Lp(al levels, Endomet riosis may represent a relatively common condition in which to investi gate the role of Lp(a) in human metabolism. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.