Background:

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are genetically determined; high levels are a risk factor for coronary disease, although their association with coronary artery calcium (CAC) is controversial. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the association of LPA gene polymorphisms with CAC in a Mexican Mestizo population.

Methods:

We included 1594 subjects 35-70 years old. Six polymorphisms of the LPA gene were analyzed. CAC score was determined by tomography and Lp(a) serum levels by immunonephelometry. The association of LPA polymorphism with CAC and Lp(a) was evaluated by logistic regression.

Results:

The prevalence of Lp(a) ≥30 mg/dL was 10%, and of CAC >0 was 26.9%. Three polymorphisms were associated with high Lp(a) levels: rs10455872-G (p = 0.013), rs6907156-T (p = 0.021), and rs7765803-C (p = 0.001). Homozygotes (CC) for the rs7765803 variant compared with the G allele (CG + GG) carriers had higher Lp(a) levels (8.9 [3.3-23.9] vs. 4.9 [2.3-11.2] mg/dL; p = 0.015) and higher prevalence of CAC >0 (36.5% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.045) and were associated with CAC > 0 (odds ratio = 1.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.06-2.7; p < 0.026). The other polymorphisms were not associated with CAC.

Conclusions:

This is the first study to demonstrate in a Mexican Mestizo population that carriers of the rs7765803-C allele of LPA gene have 2.6 times greater risk for high Lp(a) values and 1.7 times higher risk for coronary artery disease.