Often we hear the words of lipoproteins in the laboratory, in particular related to the examination of cholesterol levels. What exactly these lipoproteins?
As we know that the body to circulate the form of triglycerides and lipoprotein cholesterol. A common Lipoprotein LDL we know is better known as bad cholesterol, because it stuck to the walls of blood vessels and cause blockages. This event is known as atherosclerosis. Another lipoprotein is HDL or good cholesterol, namely lipoprotein whose function is to carry cholesterol in the blood vessels attached to the liver to be metabolized back.
Lipoprotein (a) or Lp (a) is one type of lipoprotein that structurally similar to LDL but ends bind to the Apo (a). Like LDL is Lp (a) have a high cholesterol content so that elevated levels of Lp (a) will increase also the deposition of cholesterol in blood vessel walls. As a result, atheroma plaque that forms the narrow blood vessels.
This atheroma plaques are fragile and will easily fall out if the blood flow of rapids such as increased blood pressure is high or when the blood vessels contract due to stress. plaque will be carried by the flow of blood and will cause clogging. The structure of kringles Apo (a) contained at the end of Lp (a) is similar to plasminogen. As a result, when the levels of Lp (a) High blood clot degradation mechanism will be inhibited. Because decomposition inhibited clot is formed thrombus, so this will increase the risk of clogged arteries.
So in addition to the proatherogenic that is causing the buildup of cholesterol in the blood vessel wall, Lp (a) is also prothrombotic that cause thrombus. So just to say that Lp (a) is the most dangerous type of cholesterol.
Levels of Lp (a) should be kept less than 20 mg / dL to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Although laboratory tests can reveal the levels of Lp (a), but until now there is no medication or diet may reduce levels significantly.
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