Background: Plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are mainly genetically determined. The C93T polymorphism is a naturally occurring variant of the LPA gene that may influence Lp(a) concentration. The role of Lp(a) in the pathogenesis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has not been firmly established.
Methods: A total of 299 patients with PAD and 312 PAD-free control subjects were investigated. Genotyping of the LPA C93T polymorphism was performed by means of PCR-RFLPs. Plasma Lp(a) levels were determined by ELISA.
Results: Subjects carrying at least one LPA 93T allele had lower Lp(a) levels. The prevalence rate of the 93T allele was significantly higher in control subjects (19.5%) than in PAD patients (13.0%, P=0.012). In multivariate logistic regression analysis with covariates including traditional risk factors, the 93T allele was independently associated with a reduced risk of PAD (OR=0.75, 95% CI=0.51-0.95, P=0.031).
Conclusion: The 93T allele of the LPA gene is associated with a reduced risk of PAD and low Lp(a) levels.