Relationship Between Plasma Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A₂ Activity And Coronary Heart Disease

Objective: To see whether plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PL A₂) activity correlates with stability and severity 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 two groups: CHD group (n=112) and non-CHD group as control (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, and 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 coefficient of Lp-PLA₂ activity with WBC count, hsCRP and other conventional risk factors for CHD was calculated. Results: 1) Plasma Lp-PLA₂ activity in CHD patients was significantly higher than that in controls;2) No significant difference was found in Lp-PLA₂ activity between acute coronary syndrome and stable angina pectoris;Lp-PLA₂ activity increased with the increasing number of diseased coronary branches and Gensini's score;3) Plasma Lp-PLA₂ activity was positively correlated with TC and LDL-C;negatively correlated with HDL-C;and not correlated with body mass index, blood pressure,smoking status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, WBC count and 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. It is the independent risk factor of CHD.