biostudies-literatureEnkhmaa BNICHD NIH HHSNCATS NIH HHSNHLBI NIH HHSWomen’s Health Program AwardNational Institutes of HealthUC Davis Clinical and Translational Centerbvaa073https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7358566biostudies-literatureUnknown4(7)<h4>Context</h4>Inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) reduces lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, but the association of PCSK9 with Lp(a) level and its major determinant, apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] size, is not fully understood.<h4>Objective</h4>To assess the relationship between PCSK9, Lp(a) level, apo(a) size, age, and ethnicity/race.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional.<h4>Setting</h4>General population.<h4>Participants</h4>Healthy African Americans and Caucasians (n = 267); age range: 6 to 74 years.<h4>Interventions</h4>None.<h4>Main outcome measures</h4>PCSK9 levels, apo(a) isoform and <i>LPA</i> allele sizes, and isoform-specific Lp(a) levels.<h4>Results</h4>Plasma PCSK9 levels were significantly higher in African Americans vs Caucasians, in females vs males, and iJournal of the Endocrine SocietyPCSK9 in African Americans and Caucasians in Relation to Lp(a) Level, Apo(a) Size and Heritability.PMC7358566#TR001860R01#HL62705UL1 TR001860R01 HL062705K12 HD051958#NIH 2K12HD051958Zhang WPrakash NBerglund LKim KAnuurad EEnkhmaa BTruax KfalsePCSK9 in African Americans and Caucasians in Relation to Lp(a) Level, Apo(a) Size and Heritability.<h4>Context</h4>Inhibition of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) reduces lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels, but the association of PCSK9 with Lp(a) level and its major determinant, apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] size, is not fully understood.<h4>Objective</h4>To assess the relationship between PCSK9, Lp(a) level, apo(a) size, age, and ethnicity/race.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional.<h4>Setting</h4>General population.<h4>Participants</h4>Healthy African Americans and Caucasians (n = 267); age range: 6 to 74 years.<h4>Interventions</h4>None.<h4>Main outcome measures</h4>PCSK9 levels, apo(a) isoform and <i>LPA</i> allele sizes, and isoform-specific Lp(a) levels.<h4>Results</h4>Plasma PCSK9 levels were significantly higher in African Americans vs Caucasians, in females vs males, and i2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Jul2025-04-04T23:46:35.988Z2025-04-04T23:46:35.988ZS-EPMC73585663268587010.1210/jendso/bvaa073