Study of Apolipoproteins

The measurement of major apolipoproteins seems to provide a better means for identifying patients with high risk for developing coronary artery disease than estimation of lipids. The apo-B/apo A-I ratio is a better predictor of the severity of coronary artery disease than are the values for individual apolipoproteins. Future testing should be based on the measurement of both major and minor apolipoproteins. However, the main task of such efforts is to develop procedures for direct quantification of discrete, apolipoprotein defined lipoprotein particles and to establish their positive or negative correlation with coronary artery disease. Apo-B value 120 mg/dl, which is comparable to LDL cholesterol of 160 mg/dl, may be useful in assessing risk of CHD. Apo A-I value 120 mg/dl may be associated with increased risk of CAD, whereas apo A-I 160 mg/dl may be protective against CAD. In conclusion the result of our study shows that apo-A-I, apo-B and the ratio of apo-B/ apoA-I provide additional information in predicting the presence of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). The apo-B is the most reliable parameter in assessing the LDL cholesterol, especially the TGL.