Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1)
Apolipoprotein A1 is the principal protein constituent of HDL particles, orchestrating cellular cholesterol efflux and possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic properties.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangesmg/dL
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
115 - 190 mg/dL (Male), 115 - 220 mg/dL (Female)
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
140 - 180 mg/dL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
ApoA1 interacts with ABCA1 transporters on lipid-laden macrophages, initiating the removal of excess cholesterol and activating LCAT to convert free cholesterol to cholesteryl esters for transport to the liver.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (ApoA1 High)
- •Estrogen therapy
- •Regular aerobic exercise
- •Familial hyperalphalipoproteinemia
Low Levels (ApoA1 Low)
- •Tangier disease
- •Severe coronary artery disease
- •Smoking and metabolic syndrome
- •Uncontrolled diabetes
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Standard testing requires a 10 to 12 hour overnight fast to minimize postprandial chylomicron interference, although ApoA1 direct immunoassay is less sensitive to prandial state than calculated LDL-C. Avoid strenuous high-intensity exercise 24 hours prior to blood draw. Serum separator tubes (SST) or EDTA plasma should be centrifuged within 2 hours. High-dose biotin (>5 mg/day) supplementation may interfere with competitive streptavidin-biotin immunoassays, requiring a 48-hour washout period.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Advanced Lipoprotein Particle Quantification (NMR spectroscopy or ion mobility LDL-P)
- Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] baseline evaluation for genetic cardiovascular risk stratification
- Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score via non-contrast cardiac CT to evaluate calcified plaque burden
- High-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) to assess systemic vascular inflammatory tone
- Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) duplex ultrasound to assess subclinical atherosclerosis
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (1)
- [1]Apolipoprotein A-I and Cardiovascular Risk Protection - Nature Reviews Cardiology (2021). PMID: 34188710
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) into overall healthspan optimization.