Association of lipoprotein(a) with proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in young males

Abstract

Objectives: to study the relationship between levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in a representative sample of young males from the Novosibirsk population.
Methods: a sample of 492 males was formed from the participants of a one-time population (25–45 years old) survey "Monitoring of health status and prevalence of risk factors of therapeutic diseases, their prediction and prevention in Siberia". Levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glucose, PCSK9, and Lp(a) were measured.
Results: the level of Lp(a) was 12,56 (10.50; 17.02) mg/dl, the level of PCSK9 was 300.19 (240.20; 361.80) ng/ml. A weak positive correlation between Lp(a) and TC (r = 0.286; p = 0.0001), LDL-C (r = 0.282; p = 0.0001) and PCSK9 (r = 0.138; p = 0.004) was shown. Lp(a) was significantly higher in individuals with TC ≥ 5 mmol/l and with LDL ≥ 3 mmol/l. Associations of Lp(a) with TC (B (SE) = 1.458 (0.306); p < 0.0001), LDL-C (B (SE) = 1.676 (0.348); p < 0.0001) and PCSK9 (B (SE) = 0.005 (0.002); p = 0.015) were found according to linear regression analysis. Multivariate regression analysis revealed associations of Lp(a) with TC (B (SE) = 1.767 (0.350); p < 0.0001), TG (B (SE) = – 0.934 (0.412); p = 0.02) and trend with PCSK9 (B (SE) = 0.004(0.002); p = 0.07). The associations with TC (B (SE) = 1.808(0.333); p < 0,001) and with TG (B (SE) = – 0.875(0.354); p=0.01)) were confirmed by step-by-step approach. A positive association of Lp(a) with LDL-C (B (SE) = 1.662 (0.353); p < 0.0001) and a trend with PCSK9 (B(SE) = 0.004(0.02); 0.06) were found in another model.
Conclusions: the first data on the relationship between Lp(a) and PCSK9 levels in the Russian population are presented. Found correlation and associations between Lp(a), the avowed biomarker of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, and PCSK9, the promising biomarker, suggests the prognostic value of the last one.

The reported study was funded by RFBR according to the research project № 18–34–00763.