<prompt> Raised serum level of lipoprotein-a is a predictor of -Cirrhosis of liverRheumatic ahritisAtherosclerosisCervical cancer  <response>: Ans. is c i.e., Atherosclerosis Lipoprotein - a o Lp a is a lipoprotein similar to LDL in lipid and protein composition, but it contains an additional protein called apolipoprotein a. o Elevated level of Lp a is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. o How does Lp a increase the risk of atherosclerosis ? In atherosclerosis, there is hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis due to associated inflammation remind you-atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition. So there is consistent doposition of fibrin. Lp a has close homology to plasminogen and it competes with plosminogen for binding on the surface of endothelium. This result in reduced generation of plasmin from plasminogen -- Inhibition of endogenous fibrinolytic system. This enhances fuher fibrin deposition. In addition, Lp a is accumulated in atherosclerotic lesions. So, Lp a causes impaired cell surface fibrinolysis and progressive atherosclerosis. 