Background: The liver plays a key role in the metabolism of plasma apolipoproteins, endogenous lipids and lipoproteins. Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common fatal malignant tumors in China and in other Southeast Asian countries. It has been demonstrated that plasma lipid profiles are changed in liver cancer.
Data sources: A MEDLINE database search was performed to identify relevant articles using the keywords "hepatocellular carcinoma" and "lipoprotein(a)". The search was conducted and research articles were reviewed from 1960 to 2008.
Results: Production and homeostasis of lipids, apolipoproteins and lipoproteins depend on the integrity of hepatocellular functions, which ensures normal lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in vivo. When hepatocellular injury or liver cancer occurs these processes can be impaired. It has been suggested that plasma levels of apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) and/or lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) may be considered as sensitive markers of hepatic impairment.
Conclusions: Plasma levels of apo(a) and Lp(a) display significant correlations with hepatic status. Most studies demonstrated that the plasma levels of apo(a) and Lp(a) can be considered as an additional clinical index of liver function.