ABSTRACT
It has been shown that serum lipids change with age leading to subsequent increase in atherogenesity. In this context: the current study involved 100 healthy normotensive, non-smokers geriatric subjects [52 male and 48 female] aging 60-70 years [mean age 64 years] with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis as revealed by carotid artery ultrasonography. 30 younger age, non obese, average built, non smoker normotensive healthy volunteers [16 male, 14 female] aging 15-25 years [mean age 21 years] were selected as a control group. Both groups were submitted to full clinical examination, ECG, Serum Lipids analysis, Fundoscopic examination and ultrasound imaging with color flow doppler study of the carotid artery. The current study revealed that: 1] A significant elevation of serum Triglycerides [T.G].,Lipoprotein a [LP [a]] and total cholesterol [T.chol.]levels in geriatric males in comparison to their younger age controls. and insignificant rise in [L D L - C] in Geriatric group in comparison to control group. 2] A significant elevation of serum T.G., LP[a], Total cholesterol and Low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] levels in geriatric females in comparison to their younger age controls. 3] A significant reduction of Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDLC] in geriatric subjects [particularly in females] in comparison to their younger age controls. 4] While there was an insignificant differences in serum lipids between males and females in the control group, there was. a significant elevation of serum total cholesterol and LDL-C level in geriatric females in comparison to geriatric males. 5] Serum LP[a] was very significantly elevated in geriatric males and females in comparison to their younger age control. Elevation of LP[a] was strongly associated with marked hypertriglyceridaemia and low levels of HDL-C. which of these changes represents the greatest risk factor for atherogenesity is yet to be determined by further studies