Lipoprotein (a) and Apolipoprotein (a) Isoforms in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Problem statement: The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between plasma lipoprotein (a) levels and apolipoprotein (a) isoforms in a group of Jordanian patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Approach: A total of 90 patients with acute myocardial infarction were compared with 90 age-and sex-matched controls. Lipoprotein (a) levels were measured by ELIZA method and isoforms were identefied by high resolution sodium dodecyl sulfate/agarose gel electrophoresis with western blotting. Results: Plasma lipoprotein (a) levels were significantly elevated in patients with acute myocardial infarction as compared to controls (50.18 14.4 mg dL^-1 Vs 33.1±10.5 mg dL^-1; p<0.001). S1 isoforms of apolipoprotein (a) was remarkable in addition of other isoforms in acute myocardial infarction than in controls. Apo (a) B isoform is associated significantly with LP (a)-high lipoprotein (a) level (63.1±22.55 mg dL^-1) Conclusion: Jordanian patients with acute myocardial infarction have higher plasma lipoprotein (a) as compared to controls. The common apo (a) isoform in Jordanian patients with acute myocardial infarction is the small apolipoprotein (a) S1, while the B isoform is associated with high level of plasma lipoprotein (a) level. The contribution of these apolipoprotein (a) isoforms to acute myocardial infarction needs further investigations.