Smoking induces lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in cardiovascular disease free adults: the ATTICA Study.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) mass and activity with various lifestyle, clinical and biochemical characteristics in cardiovascular disease (CVD) free adults.


BACKGROUND
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) is a novel biomarker of inflammation and risk for CVD. The Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity are primarily influenced by the plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), however the influence of various lifestyle characteristics on Lp-PLA(2) have not been adequately studied.


RESULTS
In a random sub-sample of 186 subjects, 64 men (52+/-13 years) and 122 women (48+/-13 years) from the ATTICA Study (Greece), Lp-PLA(2) activity and mass in total plasma as well as the enzyme activity and mass associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL-Lp-PLA(2)) were determined using established methods. Several socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed in all participants. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that among the lifestyle characteristics, total plasma Lp-PLA(2) activity and mass were positively and independently associated with current smoking (p=0.02 and p=0.05, respectively), as well as with exposure to second-hand smoke (p=0.02 and p=0.01, respectively). Furthermore, HDL-Lp-PLA(2) activity and mass were inversely and independently associated with current smoking (p=0.04 and p=0.09, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Smoking is associated with and might even induce an increase in proatherogenic total plasma Lp-PLA(2), but attenuates antiatherogenic HDL-Lp-PLA(2). These results further support the role of smoking as an important avoidable cause of CVD.
Tselepis
Alexandros D
AD
Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece. atselep@uoi.gr
Panagiotakos
Demosthenes B
DB
Pitsavos
Christos
C
Tellis
Constantinos C
CC
Chrysohoou
Christina
C
Stefanadis
Christodoulos
C
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase