Lipoprotein (a)

Also known as:  Apoliporotein a;  Lp(a)

Lipoprotein (a) is a type of Lipoprotein that resembles (and is often mistaken for) Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) but also carries the (often detrimental) Apoprotein (a).  Apoprotein (a) is thought to be the fraction in Lipoprotein (a) responsible for the majority of its detrimental effects.

 Cholesterol comprises 46% of Lipoprotein (a)

 Phospholipids comprise 22% of Lipoprotein (a)

 Protein (Apoproteins including Apoprotein (a)) comprises 21% of Lipoprotein (a).

 Triglycerides comprise 11% of Lipoprotein (a)

Cardiovascular System

 Elevated levels of Lipoprotein (a) may increase the risk of Atherosclerosis (and other Cardiovascular Diseases) and is a component of the atherosclerotic plaque that is implicit in Atherosclerosis.  ^[1]

 Lipoprotein (a) may be responsible for many of the toxic effects (e.g. Cardiovascular Diseases) formerly attributed to Cholesterol and Low Density Lipoproteins (LDLs).

 Elevated Lipoprotein (a) levels may cause Embolism (venous thromboembolism form).  ^[2]

 Elevated Lipoprotein (a) levels may increase the risk of Intermittent Claudication.  ^[3]

 Elevated levels of Lipoprotein (a) may increase the risk of Ischemic Heart Disease.  ^[4]

 Elevated levels of Lipoprotein (a) may increase the risk of Angina.  ^[5]

 Elevated levels of Lipoprotein (a) may increase the risk of Heart Attack.  ^[6]

 Elevated levels of Lipoprotein (a) may increase the risk of (thrombotic) Stroke (due to Lipoprotein (a) inhibiting the ability of Blood Clots to dissolve).  ^[7]

 Elevated Lipoprotein (a) levels may increase the risk of Preeclampsia.  ^[8]

 Elevated Lipoprotein (a) levels may increase the risk of Thrombosis.  ^[9]

Excretory System

 Lipoprotein (a) may accelerate the progression of Diabetic Nepropathy.  ^[10]

Metabolism

 Lipoprotein (a) may cause the oxidation of LDL Cholesterol.

Nervous System

 Lipoprotein (a) may increase the risk of Dementia:  ^[11]