Serum Lipoprotein (a) Level is Decreased In Patients with Liver Diseases

Abstract

Although the synthesis and metabolism of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)) are not clearly understood, the liver is considered to be the main site of Lp(a) synthesis. We measured the serum concentration of Lp(a) and of other lipid parameters in 153 patients with various liver diseases(lO chronic or toxic hepatitis, 76 liver cirrhosis and 67 primary liver cancer). The serum Lp(a) was significantly decreased or even undetectable in liver diseases compared with the normal control group and the decrease of Lp(a) was more remarkable than the other lipid parameters. But there were no significant differences between the 3 groups of liver diseases. Thus we suggest the possibility of Lp(a) measurement as a novel, sensitive parameter assessing dysfunction of the liver, regardless of dyslipidemic condition.