Lipoprotein (a) as an acute phase reactant in patients on chronic hemodialysis

Abstract

Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in patients on chronic hemodialysis. A low concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum albumin are another potential risk factors. The purpose of this study was to explore in patients on chronic hemodialysis, whether Lp(a) elevated levels are influenced by activated acute phase response (APR) and the correlation of Lp(a) with HDL-C and serum albumin. In 69 hemodialysis patients with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels over than 10 mg/L and 101 hemodialysis patients with CRP levels in the normal range, Lp(a), HDL-C and serum albumin were determined in relation to CRP, as a sensitive marker of an APR. Results showed that serum concentration of CRP in 69 hemodialysis patients was significantly higher than in controls (44,62 mg/L versus 8,75 mg/L, p