RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease and normal serum levels of this particle is not known in our country. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine plasma Lp (a) concentration in a population sample of Maracaibo. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Fifth hundred out-patients, consulting at Centro de Investigaciones Endocrino-Metabólicas "Dr. Félix Gómez" were randomly underwent to venipunction to obtain a fasting blood simple to assess Lp (a) by a ELISA assay. RESULTS: No significantly differences were found when compared by sex or age separately, higher levels in Lp (a) was found in female 40-44 year group (median: 20,9 mg/dl). Thus, female population was divided in two sub-groups: < 40 years (median: 13 mg/dl) 40 yr and more (median: 16 mg/dl), finding higher Lp (a) levels in the second group (p < 0,02). Hormonal replace therapy was assessed by age, resulting that women subjected this approach shows lower levels of Lp (a) (p < 0,01), except in 60-64 year group. CONCLUSIONS: Lp (a) in a Maracaibo was within normal levels. Hormonal replace therapy diminishes Lp (a) concentration in menopausal women, but in menopausal women without hormonal therapy Lp (a) levels experienced a sustained decrease to normal levels in a age-depended manner.
Assuntos
Terapia de Reposição de Estrogênios , Lipoproteína(a)/sangue , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores de Tempo , População Urbana , VenezuelaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the potential usefulness of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide as sensors of metabolic damage produced during acute coronary ischaemics events. METHODS: Serum malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels were determined as thiobarbituric acid derivative and nitrites respectively in 15 male patients who were admitted to the emergency ward of the Hospital General del Sur de Maracaibo, because of acute stage of myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Our results show, upon follow-up and afterwards 30 days a highly significant increase in the malondialdehyde level during the acute phase of myocardial infarction (1.87 +/- 0.29 vs 45.47 +/- 8.67 mM; p < 2.01 10-5) that returns to normal levels 30 days after myocardial infarction when compared with healthy subjects of the same age (1.87 +/- 0.29 vs 4.58 +/- 1.43 mM). As for nitric oxide, levels also increased significantly during the acute phase of myocardial infarction (41.25 +/- 3.59 vs 164.63 +/- 12.7, p < 2.13 10-10 mM) and diminished significantly when compared with healthy adults of the same age 30 days after the acute event (41.25 +/- 3.59 vs 40.85 +/- 4.50 mM). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that serum levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide increased significantly during acute infarction, coming back to normal levels 30 days after infarction, which suggest that both substances are potential tools to predict cardiac function recovery.