title: Ratio of LDL- to HDL-associated platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase may be a marker of inflammation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A higher plasma concentration of highly-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been found in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In addition, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-associated platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (L-PAF-AH) is associated with inflammation. Therefore, the association between AF and PAF-AH was examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty subjects who were not taking aspirin or statin were investigated, and classified into paroxysmal AF (n=41) and normal sinus rhythm (NSR, n=39) groups. The lipid profile was analyzed by capillary isotachophoresis (cITP), plasma hs-CRP, plasma PAF-AH, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated (H-PAF-AH), and L-PAF-AH. Although there were no significant differences in total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, hs-CRP, or plasma PAF-AH between the 2 groups, L-PAF-AH and the L-PAF-AH/H-PAF-AH ratio in the paroxysmal AF group were both significantly higher than in the NSR group. Interestingly, the ratio of L-PAF-AH to H-PAF-AH positively correlated with the left atrial diameter in all subjects. Although there were no differences in plasma lipoprotein subfractions, as characterized by cITP, slow-migrating LDL positively correlated with L-PAF-AH in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The distribution of PAF-AH was associated with paroxysmal AF and may be a marker of inflammation in patients with paroxysmal AF. Antiinflammatory and antioxidant therapy that targets these factors might be effective for preventing paroxysmal AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.forename: Shin-ichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miura
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yoshinari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Uehara
authors.forename: Kunihiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsuo
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumagai
authors.forename: Keijiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Saku
mesh_terms: D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000097:blood*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase