Serum concentrations of Lp(a) and other lipoprotein parameters in heavy alcohol consumers.

The serum concentration of lipoprotein Lp(a) and of other lipoproteins of 64 individuals consuming more than 200 g of ethanol per day for several years was measured. 42 of the propositi with no clinical signs of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) had an apoAI/apoAII ratio twice as high as the control group. The apoAI values of the consumers of alcohol were higher and the HDL-C and Lp(a) levels were lower than those of the control group. 22 alcohol drinkers with ALC exhibited strikingly reduced values of all serum lipids and lipoproteins and the lowest Lp(a) concentrations of all. It is suggested that alcohol drinking lowers serum Lp(a) what might be an additional reason why this group of people seems to be a lower risk of atherosclerosis.