Kotani Kazuhiko, Sakane Naoki
Division of Preventive Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto, Japan.
J Clin Med Res. 2012 Apr;4(2):130-4. doi: 10.4021/jocmr849w. Epub 2012 Mar 23.
Elevated and extreme circulating levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) are considered to be an atherosclerotic risk factor, although additional studies on the low levels of Lp(a) are necessary to provide confirmation. The carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is known as a surrogate index of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between the serum Lp(a) and CIMT in asymptomatic subjects with a relatively low Lp(a) level.
The study included 65 asymptomatic female Japanese subjects (mean age: 60 years) with a serum Lp(a) level < 30 mg/dL. Clinical data including the serum Lp(a) and CIMT were measured, and their correlations were examined.
The median Lp(a) level was 18.6 mg/dL and the mean CIMT level was 0.8 mm. There was a significant and inverse correlation between the CIMT and Lp(a) (r = - 0.24, P ≤ 0.05), in addition to a significant and positive correlation between the CIMT and subject age and systolic blood pressure. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis identified the Lp(a) to be correlated independently, significantly and inversely with the CIMT.
The Lp(a) levels were inversely correlated with the CIMT in this population, suggesting that subjects with a low Lp(a) level may have a predisposition to carotid atherosclerosis. This finding was preliminary and should be investigated further in larger studies and in additional settings.
Lp(a); Carotid artery; IMT; Atherosclerosis.
脂蛋白(a)[Lp(a)]的循环水平升高和极高被认为是动脉粥样硬化的危险因素,不过还需要对Lp(a)低水平进行更多研究以加以证实。颈动脉内膜中层厚度(CIMT)是已知的动脉粥样硬化替代指标。本研究的目的是调查Lp(a)水平相对较低的无症状受试者血清Lp(a)与CIMT之间的相关性。
本研究纳入了65名无症状日本女性受试者(平均年龄:60岁),其血清Lp(a)水平<30mg/dL。测量包括血清Lp(a)和CIMT在内的临床数据,并检查它们之间的相关性。
Lp(a)水平中位数为18.6mg/dL,CIMT平均水平为0.8mm。CIMT与Lp(a)之间存在显著负相关(r=-0.24,P≤0.05),此外,CIMT与受试者年龄和收缩压之间存在显著正相关。逐步多元线性回归分析确定Lp(a)与CIMT独立、显著且呈负相关。
该人群中Lp(a)水平与CIMT呈负相关,这表明Lp(a)水平低的受试者可能易患颈动脉粥样硬化。这一发现是初步的,应在更大规模的研究和更多环境中进一步调查。
Lp(a);颈动脉;内膜中层厚度;动脉粥样硬化