Association between lipoprotein(a) and oxygen reactive metabolite in asymptomatic subjects

INTRODUCTION: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is generally considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The coexistence of Lp(a) and oxidative status may be associated with the pathophysiology of the Lp(a)–CVD linkage. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between Lp(a) and oxidative status using the diacron Reactive Oxygen Metabolite (d‑ROM) test as an oxidative stress‑related marker in asymptomatic subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The serum levels of Lp(a) and d‑ROM were measured in 322 subjects (male/female 138/184; mean age 58.5 years) in addition to body mass index, blood pressure, glycemia, and lipid profile. RESULTS: The median levels of Lp(a) were 14.6 mg/dl (interquartile range 6.7–30.3) and the mean levels of d‑ROM were 332 ±67 U. Carr. A simple linear regression analysis showed that the d‑ROM level was significantly and positively correlated with Lp(a) (correlation coefficient = 0.22, P <0.01). Multivariate‑adjusted analyses confirmed this weak but significant correlation, independent of confounding variables. This correlation appeared to be relatively stronger in men than in women. CONCLUSIONS: A positive correlation between Lp(a) and oxidative status, as assessed by d‑ROM, in this population may be partially associated with the Lp(a)–CVD relationship.