Genetic effects on dietary response of Lp(a) concentrations in baboons

We subjected 263 baboons to different diets to determine the effects of diet on serum Lp(a) concentrations. Lp(a) levels increased when saturated fat and cholesterol were added to the diet. A subset of 139 baboons were fed a third diet containing saturated fat but no cholesterol, permitting the estimation of effects of fat alone and of cholesterol in the fat environment. Both components of the diet significantly increased Lp(a) concentrations. Sire group membership also affected the responses of Lp(a) concentrations to diet, indicating genetic control of diet response. In a different protocol, 124 baboons were fed a diet enriched with saturated fat and cholesterol for more than 18 months. As expected, Lp(a) increased after 8 weeks of feeding the atherogenic diet; there were no additional changes during long-term feeding of the diet. However, sire group affected the response to the long-term feeding. These results indicate that there are significant genetic effects on the response of Lp(a) serum levels to dietary lipid components and to time on diet.