Abstract
The serum Lp (a) level was assessed in 831 healthy Japanese males to clarify its distribution and normal range, as well as to analyze the relationship of Lp (a) taking into account age, serum lipids, and other clinical parameters. The mean serum Lp (a) level (±SD) was 18.3±16.6mg/dl, while the frequency distribution was skewed to the lower value. The median, the 90th and the 95th percentile values were 14.2, 39.9 and 51.5mg/dl, respectively. On the basis of these results, we have set the upper limit of the normal range for Lp (a) at 40mg/dl tentatively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a positive correlation of the Lp (a) level with TC and LDL-C levels, while no correlation was found between the serum Lp (a) level and age or the other clinical parameters investigated in this study. Although Lp (a) is considered to be an independent risk factor for arteriosclerotic diseases, we obtained a significant correlation of the Lp (a) level and the TC and LDL-C levels simultaneously. Lp (a) may therefore play an important role by itself or together with hyperlipidemia in the acceleration of arteriosclerotic diseases.
