cron-web.org

[A1CR]

[posted on behalf of MR; 2001-08-10]

Experimental Gerontology, Vol. 36 (8 ) (2001) pp. 1413-1418

Caloric restriction lowers plasma lipoprotein (a) in male but not female
rhesus monkeys.

Iris J. Edwards, Lawrence L. Rudel, James G. Terry, Joseph W. Kemnitz,
Richard Weindruch, Daniel J. Zaccaro, and William T. Cefalu.

... The present study has investigated the effect of CR on plasma
lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], an independent risk factor for the
age-associated process of atherosclerosis. Rhesus monkeys were fed a
control diet (n=19 males, 12 females) or subjected to CR (n males, 11
females fed 30% less calories) for >2 years. All female animals were premenopausal.

Plasma Lp(a) levels in control animals were almost two fold higher for
males than females (47±9 vs 25±5mg/dl mean±SEM, p=0.05). CR resulted in
a reduction in circulating Lp(a) in males to levels similar to those
measured in calorie-restricted females, (27±5 vs 24±4mg/dl mean±SEM). ...

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Now, you can read the gender difference as yet another natural longevity
plus for gyns, or as an extra CR bonus for guys. Note, however, that
Lp(a) is less clearly atherogenic in women than men anyway, as eg. the
finding in the Framingham study (1) that "An increased Lp(a)-C value
>/=0.259 mmol/L (>/=10 mg/dL) is an independent CHD risk factor in men
with a relative risk of more than 2, but was inconclusive in women."

-MR

1. Seman LJ, DeLuca C, Jenner JL, Cupples LA, McNamara JR, Wilson PW, Castelli
WP, Ordovas JM, Schaefer EJ.
Lipoprotein(a)-cholesterol and coronary heart disease in the Framingham Heart
Study.
Clin Chem. 1999 Jul;45(7):1039-46.