Serum lipoprotein(a) complexes with beta2-glycoprotein I levels in patients with ischemic stroke

Abstract

Background: We investigated serum lipoprotein(a) complexes with beta2-glycoprotein I [β2-GPI-Lp(a)] levels in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: Serum β2-GPI-Lp(a), oxidized Lp(a) [ox-Lp(a)] and Lp(a) levels were determined in 124 ischemic stroke patients and 64 normal controls. The severity and clinical outcome of ischemic stroke patients were evaluated by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Barthel Index (BI), respectively. The correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed.

Results: Compared with controls, serum β2-GPI-Lp(a), ox-Lp(a) and Lp(a) levels were significantly increased in ischemic stroke patients, and their levels were higher in severe stroke than in mild stroke. The β2-GPI-Lp(a) levels were positively related with ox-Lp(a) (r=0.665, P=0.000) and Lp(a) (r=0.195, P=0.035). NIHSS scores were positively correlated with β2-GPI-Lp(a) (r=0.322, P=0.000), while BI was negatively related with β2-GPI-Lp(a) (r=-0.301, P=0.012). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that β2-GPI-Lp(a) (β coefficient=0.338, P=0.010) and ox-Lp(a) (β coefficient=0.265, P=0.043) were found to account for 25.1% of the variation of NIHSS scores, and that only β2-GPI-Lp(a) (β coefficient=-0.351, P=0.005; adjusted R(2)=0.108) was an independent predictor of BI.

Conclusions: Serum β2-GPI-Lp(a) levels were increased in ischemic stroke patients. Elevated β2-GPI-Lp(a) levels were associated with the severity and clinical outcome of ischemic stroke.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Beta2-glycoprotein I; Ischemic stroke; Lipoprotein(a); Oxidation.