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Updated: Sep 22, 2025

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein
Published on: October 12, 2017
Lipoprotein (a) and diabetes mellitus
Claudia Lamina1, Natalie C Ward2
1Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and diabetes are cardiovascular disease risks. Despite an inverse association with diabetes, Lp(a) may still be a causal risk factor for cardiovascular events in diabetic patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Genetics
Background:
- Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and diabetes mellitus are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Epidemiological studies report an inverse association between Lp(a) levels and the risk of prevalent and incident diabetes.
- The causal relationship and underlying mechanisms linking Lp(a) and diabetes remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent epidemiological and Mendelian Randomisation studies on the association between Lp(a) and diabetes.
- To clarify the complex relationship between Lp(a) and diabetes risk.
- To summarize the role of Lp(a) as a CVD risk factor in patients with diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological studies.
- Analysis of Mendelian Randomisation studies.
- Synthesis of findings on Lp(a) in diabetic populations.
Main Results:
- The observed inverse association between Lp(a) and diabetes risk is only partially explained by causality.
- Reverse causation, comorbidities, and medications may influence the Lp(a)-diabetes association.
- Elevated Lp(a) is suggested as a causal, independent risk factor for CVD in diabetic patients.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between Lp(a) and diabetes is complex and likely multifactorial.
- Lp(a) remains a significant CVD risk factor in individuals with diabetes.
- Emerging therapies targeting Lp(a) show potential cardiovascular benefits, warranting further investigation in diabetic populations.
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