lipoprotein(a)

[lip-uh-proh-teen-ey, ‑tee-in-ey, lahy-puh‑]

noun

1. a plasma lipoprotein containing protein and cholesterol, high levels of which are associated with atherosclerosis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lipoprotein(a)¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; lipoprotein ( def. ) + (a), signifying a classification of proteins in serum protein electrophoresis

Example Sentences

Low-density lipoprotein, a type of cholesterol, is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol because it’s linked to higher risk of heart disease.

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Q: You probably saved my life with your article about lipoprotein a.

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What, everyone wondered, could this lipoprotein, a known risk factor for heart disease, possibly have to do with Alzheimer's?

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The vegetarians, it turned out, had higher blood levels of lipoprotein "a," one of whose components is LDL, the bad stuff.

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