Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 mass and activity serum levels and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with different categories of cardiovascular risk

Abstract

Aim. To asses the connection between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) mass and activity levels and carotid atherosclerosis severity.
Methods. 519 patients (162 men, 357 women, the mean age is 57.0 (51.0-64.0) years) were included in this study. Cardiovascular risk factors evaluation, clinical examination, biochemical analysis of blood with lipidemic profile, Lp-PLA2 levels determination and duplex ultrasound of the carotid arteries were performed.
Results. Median Lp-PLA2 activity serum level was 202.4 (178.5 -232.6) nmol/min/ml. Median Lp-PLA2 mass serum level was 220.4
(197.1-247.2) ng/ml. There was a positive correlation between Lp-PLA2 activity (but not mass) levels and carotid atherosclerosis severity. The number of atherosclerotic plaques (р=0.01), maximal (p=0.03) and total (р=0.004) percent of carotid arteries stenoses were higher in patients, who had their Lp-PLA2 activity levels in the upper three quartiles compare to patients, who had their Lp-PLA2 activity levels in the lower quartile.
Conclusion. Our data confirmed that there was a relation between Lp-PLA2 serum levels and carotid atherosclerosis severity. Lp-PLA2 activity was more associated with carotid atherosclerosis than Lp-PLA2 mass.