Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 as a predictor for severity of coronary atherosclerosis / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate whether plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity correlates with severity and stability of coronary atherosclerosis and other established cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed in 180 hospitalized patients who were suspected as having coronary heart disease (CHD). The severity of pathological changes of the coronary artery was assessed by the number of diseased coronary branches and Gensini's score. According to the results of CAG, the 180 patients were divided into 2 groups: CHD group (n=112) and non-CHD group (n=68). The CHD patients were further divided into subgroups according to the clinical types, the number of diseased coronary branches and Gensini's score. Lp-PLA2 activity, white blood cell (WBC) count, high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP), lipids, blood pressure and body mass index were measured. The age, sex and prior medical histories including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking status were obtained before CAG in all patients. Lp-PLA2, WBC count and hsCRP were compared statistically between the subgroups, and correlation coefficients of Lp-PLA2 activity with WBC count, hsCRP and other conventional risk factors for CHD were calculated. Results: Plasma Lp-PLA2 activity in CHD patients was significantly higher than that in controls (P<0.01). No significant difference was found in Lp-PLA2 activity between patients with acute coronary syndrome and stable angina pectoris. Lp-PLA2 activity increased with the increasing number of diseased coronary branches and Gensini's score. Plasma Lp-PLA2 activity was positively correlated with TC and LDL-C, negatively correlated with HDL-C, weakly correlated with WBC count, and not correlated with hsCRP. Conclusion: Plasma Lp-PLA2 activity can be used as a parameter to predict pathological severity of coronary atherosclerosis, though it is not associated with stability of pathological changes of the coronary artery.