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Lp(a) catabolism in hypercholesterolaemic individuals
1MRC Lipoprotein Team, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Chemistry and Physics of Lipids
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors play a minor role in clearing intact lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] from the body. However, LDL receptors may help clear Lp(a) remnants after apo(a) removal.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Lipid Metabolism
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- The role of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors in Lp(a) catabolism is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of LDL receptors in the in vivo catabolism of intact Lp(a).
Main Methods:
- Comparison of Lp(a) levels in normal and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) siblings.
- In vitro competition studies using Lp(a) from familial-defective apoB subjects.
- In vivo turnover studies comparing Lp(a) catabolic rates in normal and FH subjects.
Main Results:
- Absence of functional LDL receptors did not consistently elevate plasma Lp(a) levels.
- Lp(a) from familial-defective apoB subjects did not compete with LDL for LDL receptor binding.
- No significant difference in Lp(a) catabolic rates was observed between normal and FH subjects.
Conclusions:
- LDL receptors are not significantly involved in the catabolism of intact Lp(a) in vivo.
- LDL receptors may contribute to Lp(a) clearance by degrading its lipid and apoB components after apo(a) dissociation.