Association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 mass and activity with coronary and aortic atherosclerosis: findings from the Dallas Heart Study.
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to characterize the association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) with coronary and aortic atherosclerosis in a large population-based study.


METHODS
Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity were measured in 2171 subjects 30-65 years old participating in the Dallas Heart Study. We examined the association of Lp-PLA(2) levels with 3 atherosclerosis phenotypes: coronary artery calcium (CAC) measured by electron-beam computed tomography and abdominal aortic plaque (AAP) and aortic wall thickness (AWT) measured by magnetic resonance imaging.


RESULTS
CAC and AAP were detected in 21% and 40% of subjects, respectively, and mean AWT (SD) was 1.70 (0.32) mm. In univariable analyses, Lp-PLA(2) mass (but not activity) was higher in both men (P = 0.04) and women (P = 0.02) with detectable CAC. Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity were higher (P = 0.004 and P = 0.01, respectively) and AWT was greater (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively) in women with aortic atheroma, but not in men. After adjustment for traditional atherosclerosis risk factors and C-reactive protein concentrations, Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity were not associated with AAP or AWT in either sex, but Lp-PLA(2) mass remained modestly associated with detectable CAC only in men (odds ratio 1.20 per 1 standard deviation increase, 95% CI 1.01-1.42, P = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Although Lp-PLA(2) mass was independently associated with CAC in men, it was not associated with AAP or AWT in men or with any of the atherosclerosis phenotypes in women. These findings suggest that if Lp-PLA(2) independently influences clinical events, it does so by promoting atherosclerotic plaque instability rather than by stimulating atherogenesis.
Brilakis
Emmanouil S
ES
The Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, Dallas, TX, USA. emmanouil.brilakis@utsouthwestern.edu
Khera
Amit
A
Saeed
Bilal
B
Banerjee
Subhash
S
McGuire
Darren K
DK
Murphy
Sabina A
SA
de Lemos
James A
JA
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase; D002118:Calcium