[Decreased levels of the albumin-alpha-1-globulin fraction of serum proteins, risk factor for ischemic cardiopathy].

Serum proteins and their electrophoretic fractions: albumin-alpha-1 globulin (Alb-alpha-1), alpha-2 and alpha-3 globulins, beta and gamma globulins have been included in the Paris Prospective Study which has concerned 7434 middle-aged men free of any atherosclerotic disease at entry and followed-up during 6.6 years on average. The level of Alb-alpha-1 is significantly lower among myocardial infarction or sudden death cases: the mean difference with controls is equal to one gram. The inverse relationship between incidence and Alb-alpha-1 level is a continuous one. No relationship is observed with angina. In multivariate analysis, serum cholesterol, blood pressure, tobacco and Alb-alpha-1 (negative relationship) are significantly associated with grave coronary heart disease. The relationship with Alb-alpha-1 is independent of the hematocrit. Possible pathogenic mechanisms are discussed.