Effects of a gluten-free diet on serum lipids and lipoprotein (a) levels in a group of patients with celiac disease.

The influence of nutrient absorption, caloric content, and diet on lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentration is uncertain. To our knowledge, there are no reports on Lp(a) behavior in malabsorption. Serum lipids and Lp(a) concentrations were evaluated in 17 celiac patients (5 male and 12 female patients; age range, 1-24 years) when the diagnosis was established and after a 3-month gluten-free diet. Mean total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not show significant change, while mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol rose and triglycerides decreased significantly after the diet. The Lp(a) concentration remained unchanged in all patients (median values, 35 mg/L before and 40 mg/L after the diet). Our results suggest that, in our patients, the lipoprotein profile was influenced by the gluten-free diet, while the Lp(a) concentration was not modified.