Further evidence for the existence of genetically determined metabolic differences between Lp(a+) and Lp(a-)...

Thirty, presumably healthy, middle-aged males from Northern Sweden were studied in September 1973 and again in February 1975. Mean fasting cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher at the latter investigation than they were at the former in the total group and in the Lp(a+) group, but not among those who were Lp(a-). Furthermore, estimation of free thyroxine factor yielded significantly higher results in the Lp(a-) than in the Lp(a+) group. In a previous paper, we reported significant differences between Lp(a+) and Lp(a-) individuals with respect to the relationships between insulin level and blood glucose concentration, and between insulin level and fasting triglyceride concentration. The combined results of the present and previous studies suggest that inherited metabolic differences exist between Lp(a+) and Lp(a-) individuals. In view of the association which has been found between the phenotype Lp(a+) and coronary heart disease it seems plausible that these differences may be of clinical importance.