Polish scientists explain the link between lipoprotein (a) and type 2 diabetes – an important genetic discovery
Polish researchers are the first in the world to shed light on a mechanism that may explain the link between low levels of lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), in the blood and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Their discovery also dispels concerns about the safety of Lp(a)-lowering therapies.
Although it has been observed for years that people with type 2 diabetes have lower levels of lipoprotein (a ) - Lp(a ), it was not clear until now whether there was a causal relationship between these phenomena. Scientists from the Medical University of Silesia , together with researchers from Italy and Switzerland, were the first to indicate a potential mechanism of this relationship.
Lp(a) , often compared to the so-called "bad cholesterol" LDL, has a similar structure but an even greater tendency to accumulate on the walls of blood vessels, which can lead to their clogging, scientists explain. It is particularly difficult to control, because its level results mainly from genetic factors, and standard methods, such as diet , physical activity or statin drugs , are ineffective. The breakthrough came only with a new clinical trial published in the journal "JAMA", in which the experimental drug Muvalaplin reduced the level of lipoprotein (a) by as much as 65 percent.
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The research team used a method little known in Poland – the so-called Mendelian randomization . This is a statistical tool that analyzes the influence of genetic factors on the risk of disease . Thanks to this, the researchers showed that high insulin levels – characteristic of prediabetes – inhibit the production of apolipoprotein(a) , a key component of Lp(a) .
In practice, this means that hyperinsulinemia may explain the lower Lp(a) levels in people with type 2 diabetes . This finding also refutes concerns that Lp(a) -lowering drugs may increase the risk of diabetes – the two phenomena are independent of each other.
Experts suggest that Lp(a) testing should become a routine test, especially for people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In Poland, it is still rarely performed, which may hinder early detection of health threats.
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Updated: 08/06/2025 13:30
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