Lipoprotein(a) reduction by N-acetylcysteine.

Lipoprotein(a), a complex of low-density lipoprotein linked by disulphide bridges with apo(a), is associated with atherosclerotic disease when present at very high plasma concentrations. In vitro, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) dissociates this complex. In two patients with high Lp(a) levels NAC lowered plasma Lp(a) from 58 to 20 mg/dl and from 59 to 18 mg/dl: reductions of this order have not hitherto been achieved either by drugs or by diet.