Significance of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase in patients with non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) represents an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), being characterized by a continuous low-grade inflammation and endothelial activation state. Plasma platelet - activating factor - acetylhydrolases (PAF-AHs) are a subgroup of Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) family (also known as lipoprotein-associated phospholipases A(2)) that hydrolyze and inactivate the lipid mediator platelet-activating factor (PAF) and/or oxidized phospholipids. This enzyme is considered to play an important role in inflammatory diseases and atherosclerosis. The present study aims to investigate the relations between the levels of PAF-AH activity and LDL-cholesterol / HDL-cholesterol (LDL-ch / HDL-ch) ratio in NIDDM patients as compared to controls.


METHODS
serum PAF-AH activity was measured in 50 patients with dyslipidemia, in 50 NIDDM patients and in 50 controls (normal lipid and glucose levels). Total cholesterol, LDL-ch, HDL-ch, triglyceride and blood glucose were determined in all subjects.


RESULTS
All NIDDM patients display hiperlipidemia, with increased LDL-ch and triglyceride levels. There is a significant correlation between LDL-ch levels (especially LDL-ch / HDL-ch ratio) and PAF-AH activity in dyslipidemic and NIDDM patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetic and dyslipidemic patients have an increased plasma PAF-AH activity correlated with their LDL-ch levels and mainly with LDL-ch / HDL-ch ratio. Plasma PAF-AH high levels appear to be important as a risk marker for endothelial dysfunction in patients with NIDDM.
Serban
M
M
Department of Pathophysiology, "Colentina" Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
Tanaseanu
Cristina
C
Kosaka
T
T
Vidulescu
Cristina
C
Stoian
Irina
I
Marta
Daciana S
DS
Tanaseanu
S
S
Moldoveanu
Elena
E
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism*; D012307:Risk Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D010741:Phospholipases A; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase