ABSTRACT
Increased lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations have been recognized as a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) in nondiabetic individuals, although its contribution to CAD in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is not established. We investigated the relationship between IGT and Lp(a) concentrations in 125 subjects suffering from anginal symptoms who had undergone the coronary angiography (96 male, 29 female, 28-75 years of age). They had no history of hyperglycemic symptoms, diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the results of coronary angiogram: group 1 with CAD (n=90) and the group 2 with normal coronary arteries (n=35). Each group was divided into two subgroups according to the results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): subgroup a with IGT and subgroup b with normal OGTT. Subjects of group 1 a and 1 b had significantly higher Lp(a) concentrations than group 2a and 2b respectively (p=0.0062, p=0.02). The Lp(a) concentration was also significantly higher in group 1a than in group 1b (p=0.035), whereas there was no difference between group 2 a and 2 b (p=0.8). In considering subjects with IGT there was no difference between the serum insulin levels of the group with CAD and the group with normal coronary arteries. There was also no significant difference between the serum insulin levels of groups 1b and 2b. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that serum insulin levels are not associated with serum Lp(a) levels and that serum Lp(a) levels are higher in the CAD with impaired glucose tolerance than with normal glucose tolerance.
Increased lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations have been recognized as a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) in nondiabetic individuals, although its contribution to CAD in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is not established. We investigated the relationship between IGT and Lp(a) concentrations in 125 subjects suffering from anginal symptoms who had undergone the coronary angiography (96 male, 29 female, 28-75 years of age). They had no history of hyperglycemic symptoms, diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the results of coronary angiogram: group 1 with CAD (n=90) and the group 2 with normal coronary arteries (n=35). Each group was divided into two subgroups according to the results of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): subgroup a with IGT and subgroup b with normal OGTT. Subjects of group 1 a and 1 b had significantly higher Lp(a) concentrations than group 2a and 2b respectively (p=0.0062, p=0.02). The Lp(a) concentration was also significantly higher in group 1a than in group 1b (p=0.035), whereas there was no difference between group 2 a and 2 b (p=0.8). In considering subjects with IGT there was no difference between the serum insulin levels of the group with CAD and the group with normal coronary arteries. There was also no significant difference between the serum insulin levels of groups 1b and 2b. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that serum insulin levels are not associated with serum Lp(a) levels and that serum Lp(a) levels are higher in the CAD with impaired glucose tolerance than with normal glucose tolerance.