To investigate the association of carotid atherosclerosis and serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentrations in subjects with NIDDM.
We measured carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and Lp(a) concentrations in 117 NIDDM subjects. Subjects were divided into tertiles according to IMT values and number of plaques.
Serum Lp(a), but not lipid and apoprotein levels, increased significantly with increasing IMT (20.0 ± 2.3, 24.7 ± 3.3, and 39.8 ± 4.3 mg/dl [mean ± SE], respectively, P < 0.001). Serum Lp(a) increased with increasing number of plaques (18.4 ± 2.5 mg/dl in 59 subjects with no plaques, 25.8 ± 2.5 mg/dl in 24 subjects with 1 plaque, and 38.7 ± 5.1 mg/dl in 34 subjects with more than 1 plaque; P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mean IMT and Lp(a) levels in the subjects with cerebrovascular disease (CD) were significantly higher than in those without CD (1.25 ± 0.04 mm and 41.2 ± 4.7 mg/dl vs. 1.08 ± 0.03 mm and 22.2 ± 1.9 mg/dl; P < 0.005). The mean IMT and Lp(a) levels were higher in subjects with ischemic heart disease (IHD) than in those without IHD, although statistical significance was not observed (1.21 ± 0.06 mm and 31.7 ± 4.7 mg/dl vs. 1.10 ± 0.03 mm and 27.0 ± 2.4 mg/dl, respectively).
Elevated serum Lp(a) concentrations are associated with carotid atherosclerosis in NIDDM subjects.
