Kostakou Peggy M, Hatzigeorgiou George, Kolovou Vana, Mavrogeni Sophie, Kolovou Genovefa D
Cardiology Department, General Hospital of Elefsina "Thriassio", Athens, Greece.
Cardiology Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece.
Curr Med Chem. 2017;24(10):969-978. doi: 10.2174/0929867324666170120155412.
The limited distribution of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) to humans, Old World primates and to the European hedgehog, has raised considerable interest and speculation regarding its possible physiological role. Lp(a) has variable circulating concentrations (<0.1 - >100 mg/ml) which are highly genetically determined in humans. These characteristics gave rise to several theories concerning the origins and evolution of Lp(a). Lp(a) has a protective role after injury since Lp(a) particles bind to macrophages and platelets membrane receptors, leading to fibrin activation and injury healing. On the other hand, Lp(a) seems to be implicated in the formation of atheromatic plaques but also in cerebrovascular events and stenosis of the aortic valve. The main genetic factor determining plasma Lp(a) levels is the Lp(a) gene (LPA). Most Caucasian people have normal plasma Lp(a) concentrations, but there is important distribution variation according to race. Women seem to have increased Lp(a) levels compared with men, while diabetes mellitus type 2 favours lower plasma Lp(a) levels. Nutrition, hormones and several drugs may also influence circulating Lp(a) levels.
脂蛋白(a) [Lp(a)]仅在人类、旧世界灵长类动物和欧洲刺猬中存在，这引发了人们对其可能的生理作用的浓厚兴趣和诸多猜测。Lp(a)的循环浓度存在差异（<0.1->100毫克/毫升），在人类中其浓度高度由基因决定。这些特性催生了几种关于Lp(a)起源和进化的理论。Lp(a)在损伤后具有保护作用，因为Lp(a)颗粒可与巨噬细胞和血小板膜受体结合，从而导致纤维蛋白激活和损伤愈合。另一方面，Lp(a)似乎与动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成有关，也与脑血管事件和主动脉瓣狭窄有关。决定血浆Lp(a)水平的主要遗传因素是Lp(a)基因（LPA）。大多数白种人的血浆Lp(a)浓度正常，但根据种族不同存在重要的分布差异。女性的Lp(a)水平似乎高于男性，而2型糖尿病患者的血浆Lp(a)水平往往较低。营养、激素和几种药物也可能影响循环Lp(a)水平。
