Change of Lipoprotein (a) and Coagulative or Fibrinolytic Parameters in Diabetic Patients with Nephropathy

Abstract

Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is a plasma lipoprotein of high atherogenicity and competes with plasminogen at the site of plasminogen receptors. It is known that diabetic patients show a hypercoagulable state which might contribute to diabetic vascular complications. In the present study, mean levels of plasma Lp(a) and parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis such as thrombin antithrombin III complex (TAT) and α2 plasmin inhibitor plasmin complex (α2PIC) were elevated in diabetic patients with nephropathy compared to healthy controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between the plasma levels of Lp(a) and α2PIC (p<0.05). Plasma levels of α2PIC showed a significant positive correlation with those of TAT in the diabetic group, while there was no significant correlation observed in the non-diabetic group. The present results suggest that factors of Lp(a) and coagulation fibrinolytic systems interacted, contributing to vascular complications in diabetic patients with nephropathy. J Atheroscler Thromb, 1994; 1; 37-40. © 1994, Japan Atherosclerosis Society. All rights reserved.