[The pharmacological effects of certain compounds on lipoprotein(a)]

Lipoprotein(a) represents a cholesterol ester, LDL-like particle with apo B-100 linked to apo (a). Lp(a) is a fascinating subject of research because of its presumed association with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The reported results do not encourage optimism. Drugs like niacin or fibrates when used alone have been attended by mixed results. Neither clofibrate nor bezafibrate, which reduce the VLDL concentration, affect LP(a) levels. Neither the ion-exchange resin cholestyramine, nor the HMG CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin reduce the serum concentration of Lp(a). But, we must keep in mind that drugs used to lower plasma Lp(a) levels were designed for apo B and not apo B-apo(a) containing particles. Thus, it may be necessary to develop drugs specifically targeted to Lp(a).