Abstract
Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) which is a low-density lipoprotein-like particle containing apo(a) is considered as an emergent cardiovascular risk factor. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a two- to threefold increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of Lp(a) in Black South African T2DM patients and its association with other metabolic factors. 67 T2DM patients and 48 healthy control participants were recruited for the cross-sectional study. The Lp(a) level was determined by ELISA and the result was analyzed using SPSS. The Lp(a) level in diabetics was found to be significantly increased (P = 0.001) when compared to the normal healthy group. In the diabetic group, the Lp(a) levels correlated significantly with the duration of diabetes (P = 0.008) and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) levels (P = 0.03) and decreased total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.001). The third tertile of Lp(a) was significantly correlated with increased ox-LDL, C-reactive protein, and triglycerides and decreased total antioxidant capacity.
Highlights
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia caused by decreased production or sensitivity to insulin [1]
The traditional cardiovascular risk factors associated with diabetes are not sufficient to explain the high rate of cardiovascular incidents in diabetic patients
Apart from a comprehensive metabolic panel, the samples were used for analyses of urinary albumin and creatinine, insulin, and Creactive protein (CRP), all of which were performed at the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) using the Roche Cobas 6000 autoanalyzer
Summary
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia caused by decreased production or sensitivity to insulin [1]. Diabetic patients have more than double the risk of CVD-related mortality when compared to age-matched controls [2]. Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is an emerging cardiovascular risk factor which is associated with diabetes [3, 4]. Apo(a) by its similarity to plasminogen can competitively inhibit the functioning of this zymogen and increase the risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Several epidemiological studies have found clear association between Lp(a) and CVD and have suggested Lp(a) to be an independent risk factor for CVD [11, 12]. Guyton et al observed racial differences in mean Lp(a) levels. In their study, they found that Black participants had almost double the amount of mean Lp(a) levels compared to Whites [13]. Studies on Lp(a) levels among Blacks concluded that higher Lp(a)
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