Livelli plasmatici di lipoproteina(a) ed assetto lipoproteico: Confronto tra soggetti adulti sani, pazienti ospedalizzati ed ultraottantenni free- living

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) assessment seems to be a useful contribution to the study of lipoprotein profile in patients at risk for arteriosclerosis-related diseases. During the last years, many investigations have dealt with the levels of Lp(a) in healthy over 80s, hypothesizing that Lp(a) could represent a selective aging factoR. Aim of the present paper was to compare lipoprotein status, and particularly Lp(a) plasma levels, among a group of hospitalized patients suffering from pathologies associated with high Lp(a) levels, a group of self-sufficient healthy over 80s, and a control group of adults. Furthermore we have verified the presence of possible correlations between Lp(a) levels and age. METHODS: three groups of subjects were included in the study. 110 hospitalized patients (HP), 97 self- sufficient over 80s (SSO) and 68 control subjects (CS) came to our laboratory for routine blood tests. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were analyzed using Trinder dependent method, and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) was determined through immunoturbidimetric method. LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated using Friedewald formula. Apolipoprotein A1 and B were dosed using nephelometry. Lipoprotein(a) was assessed using ELISA test. SPSS for windows was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: As compared to CS, Hp showed significant higher values of TC, LDL-C, TG and Lp(a), and lower levels of HDL-C and apo A1. SSO had significant higher levels of TC, HDL-C and apo-B, but also of HDL-C and apo A1, in comparison with CS. An age-related trend was also observed for Lp(a) values, with a statistical difference between the 21- 60 age group and the one older than 61 years old. CONCLUSIONS: our study confirms high Lp(a) values and reduced HDL-C in patients with atherosclerosis-related diseases, or with chronic renal failure. On the other hand, the free-living over 80s seem to be characterized by medium-high levels of plasma cholesterol and high HDL-C values, and elevated Lp(a) values. These latter results suggest a possible association between high HDL-C and 'successful aging', and they seem to role out an involvement of Lp(a) as a selective aging factor.