Anthropometry, cholesterol, HDL and LDL in relation to alpha-2-macroglobulin in thai construction site workers

Abstract

The serum proteinase inhibitor (PI) alpha-2-macroglobulin (α2M) has been reported to play a role in influencing the nutritional status by adapting metabolism to nutrient intake. This was tested among hardworking male and female construction site workers In addition cholesterol, HDL and LDL was determined in order to test the effect of hard physical work on these lipids in relation to α2M. A statistically significant negative correlation between α2M as dependent and age, anthropometric measurements as well as HDL as independent variables was found only for the males. No correlation was observed between α2M as dependent variable and cholesterol as well as LDL as independent variables. The paper discusses possible reasons for the observed differences between male and females, as well as the hypothesis that an increase of α2M in the course of heavy work load and exercise might help to protect against the development of cardio vascular diseases and cancer.