The role of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) in the metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) is a novel inflammation marker. We investigated its association with other coronary risk factors and evaluated its role as a comprehensive marker of the metabolic syndrome in individuals with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Our cross-sectional study evaluated 92 insulin-treated subjects with type 2 diabetes. Biochemical measurements of Lp-PLA(2), glycemic control, lipid profiles, and C-reactive protein were carried out. Seventy-seven subjects were diagnosed as having the metabolic syndrome, which was defined according to the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Scientific Statement.


RESULTS
Lp-PLA(2) was significantly correlated with waist-hip ratio (r=.25), triglycerides (r=.50), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=-.31), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; r=.27; all P<.02). In a multiple-regression model, triglycerides and LDL-C levels were the significant predictors of Lp-PLA(2). Lp-PLA(2) was significantly higher in subjects with the metabolic syndrome than in those without it (268+/-23.4 vs. 127+/-15.8 ng/ml, P<.001). There was a linear increase in Lp-PLA(2) with an increment of the number of the metabolic syndrome criteria (P(trend)=.041). Another multiple-regression model showed that the hypertriglyceridemia component was the only predictor of Lp-PLA(2).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that Lp-PLA(2) assay potentially facilitates a more comprehensive assessment of the metabolic syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes on insulin.
Noto
Hiroshi
H
The University Diabetes Treatment Center, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8858, USA.
Chitkara
Pranav
P
Raskin
Philip
P
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
D015415:Biomarkers; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase