[Chronic liver disease prevents the development of atherosclerosis in spite the risk factor]

We investigated whether hypertension contributes to the development of atheloscrelosis in patients with chronic liver disease. There were no significant differences with respect to the ordinary biochemical data of serum concentrations of both protein and lipid metabolites between the hypertension group (n = 21) and the non-hypertension group (n = 31). In the hypertension group, serum creatinine level and serum concentration of lipoprotein (a) were significantly higher than those in non-hypertension group. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the atherogenic index (apolipoproteins B versus A1 ratio). Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase activity was positively correlated with serum apolipoprotein E concentration, and inversely correlated with serum lipoprotein (a) concentration, in 52 patients with chronic liver disease. Active hepatitis in patients with chronic liver disease might retard the development of atherosclerosis.