Plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in patients with metabolic syndrome and carotid atherosclerosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂) is a recently identified and potentially useful plasma biomarker for cardiovascular and atherosclerotic diseases. However, the correlation between the Lp-PLA₂ activity and carotid atherosclerosis remains poorly investigated in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The present study aimed to evaluate the potential role of Lp-PLA₂ as a comprehensive marker of metabolic syndrome in individuals with and without carotid atherosclerosis.

METHODS:

We documented 118 consecutive patients with MetS and 70 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects served as controls. The patients were further divided into two groups: 39 with carotid plaques and 79 without carotid plaques to elucidate the influence of Lp-PLA₂ on carotid atherosclerosis. The plasma Lp-PLA₂ activity was measured by using ELISA method and carotid intimal-media thickness (IMT) was performed by ultrasound in all participants.

RESULTS:

Lp-PLA₂ activity was significantly increased in MetS subgroups when compared with controls, and was higher in patients with carotid plaques than those without plaques (P < 0.05). Furthermore, we found that significant difference in Lp-PLA₂ was obtained between patients with three and four disorders of metabolic syndrome (P < 0.01). Age (β = 0.183, P = 0.029), LDL-cholesterol (β = 0.401, P = 0.000) and waist-hip ratio (β = 0.410, P = 0.000) emerged as significant and independent determinants of Lp-PLA₂ activity. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that LDL-cholesterol (β = 0.309, P = 0.000), systolic blood pressure (β = 0.322, P = 0.002) and age (β = 0.235, P = 0.007) significantly correlated with max IMT, and Lp-PLA2 was not an independent predictor for carotid IMT.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lp-PLA₂ may be a modulating factor for carotid IMT via age and LDL-cholesterol, not independent predictor in the pathophysiological process of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with MetS.

• Authors: Hui-Ping Gong, Yi-Meng Du, Li-Na Zhong, Zhao-Qiang Dong, Xin Wang, Yong-Jun Mao, Qing-Hua Lu
• Journal: Lipids in health and disease (Lipids Health Dis) Vol. 10 Pg. 13 (Jan 19 2011) ISSN: 1476-511X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21247435 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase

Topics

• 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase (blood)
• Adult
• Aged
• Carotid Arteries (diagnostic imaging, pathology)
• Carotid Artery Diseases (blood, pathology)
• Case-Control Studies
• Enzyme Assays
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Metabolic Syndrome (blood, pathology)
• Middle Aged
• Risk Factors
• Ultrasonography