Preface

Chapter 6 **Lipoprotein(a) — A Hallmark in Atherosclerosis and**

Indumathi Chennamsetty and Gert M. Kostner

**Cardiovascular Diseases 137**

**VI** Contents

Atherosclerosis is a hallmark in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and stroke. It is a multifacto‐ rial disease triggered by multiple genes. These genes govern the expression of proteins and enzymes involved in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, inflammation, hemostasis and all events leading to CVD. Looking at the anatomy of an atherosclerotic plaque (Fig.1) it be‐ comes apparent, that the deposition of lipids is a prominent feature in the development and appearance of the arterial stenosis.

**Figure 1.** Prominent role of lipids in atherosclerosis.

Since all pathophysiological events are in one way or the other triggered by one or several genes, much efforts are currently directed towards screening of the genome, proteome lipi‐ dome or metabolome to uncover abnormalities related to atherogenesis. Genetic epidemiol‐ ogy, however, is expensive, time consuming and in many cases results in associations of specific loci or genes with a disease without giving any clue on the mechanism .

In the present book that is far from giving a complete picture on the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and CVD we focus on few aspects of the role of lipids and lipoproteins in atherogenesis. In the first part we address the question as to what extent animals like rabbits or hamsters may serve as models for that disease. This is addressed in the chapters of Isaac Karimi and Andriy Zagayko. Another part of this section focuses on the management of obesity and dyslipoproteinemia in childhood (composed by Maria Mohara).

In the second section of the book two important topics are **addressed**. The article written by Stanislav Oravec and his colleagues highlights the fact, that lipoprotein profiles related to CVD are not necessarily reflected by plasma lipids or lipoprotein-lipid concentrations but rather by specific electrophoretic lipoprotein patterns. In addition, lipoprotein associated phospholipase appears to be a very important analyte related to the cardiovascular risk and inflammatory status of a patient, reviewed by Sanja Stankovic.

Last but not least, an overview is presented by Indumathi Chennamsetty and Gert Kostner on the current status of the most atherogenic lipoprotein, Lp(a) (Fig.2).

**Figure 2.** Schematic view of lipoprotein(a)

We are convinced that these snapshots of the role of lipoproteins in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis adds to the understanding of related diseases not only for scientists but also for practitioners working in clinics and in private practice.

> **Prof. Gerhard Kostner** Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, Austria

> > **Dr. Indumathi Chennamesetty** Stanford University, USA

**Animal Models and Lipoproteins in Childhood**

Karimi and Andriy Zagayko. Another part of this section focuses on the management of

In the second section of the book two important topics are **addressed**. The article written by Stanislav Oravec and his colleagues highlights the fact, that lipoprotein profiles related to CVD are not necessarily reflected by plasma lipids or lipoprotein-lipid concentrations but rather by specific electrophoretic lipoprotein patterns. In addition, lipoprotein associated phospholipase appears to be a very important analyte related to the cardiovascular risk and

Last but not least, an overview is presented by Indumathi Chennamsetty and Gert Kostner

We are convinced that these snapshots of the role of lipoproteins in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis adds to the understanding of related diseases not only for scientists but also

**Prof. Gerhard Kostner**

Institute of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry,

Medical University of Graz, Austria

**Dr. Indumathi Chennamesetty** Stanford University, USA

obesity and dyslipoproteinemia in childhood (composed by Maria Mohara).

inflammatory status of a patient, reviewed by Sanja Stankovic.

**Figure 2.** Schematic view of lipoprotein(a)

VIII Preface

for practitioners working in clinics and in private practice.

on the current status of the most atherogenic lipoprotein, Lp(a) (Fig.2).
