Association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 with coronary artery disease in African-Americans and Caucasians.
BACKGROUND
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) is bound predominately to low-density lipoprotein and has been implicated as a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD).


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the association between Lp-PLA(2) and CAD in a biethnic African-American and Caucasian population.


METHODS
Lp-PLA(2) mass, activity, and index, an integrated measure of mass and activity, and other cardiovascular risk factors were determined in 224 African-Americans and 336 Caucasians undergoing coronary angiography.


METHODS
We assessed the distribution of Lp-PLA(2) levels and determined the predictive role of Lp-PLA(2) as a risk factor for CAD.


RESULTS
Levels of Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity were higher among Caucasians compared with African-Americans (293 +/- 75 vs. 232 +/- 76 ng/ml, P < 0.001 for mass and 173 +/- 41 vs. 141 +/- 39 nmol/min/ml, P < 0.001 for activity, respectively). However, Lp-PLA(2) index was similar in the two groups (0.61 +/- 0.17 vs. 0.64 +/- 0.19, P = NS). In both ethnic groups, Lp-PLA(2) activity and index was significantly higher among subjects with CAD. African-American subjects with CAD had significantly higher Lp-PLA(2) index than corresponding Caucasian subjects (0.69 +/- 0.20 vs. 0.63 +/- 0.18, P = 0.028). In multivariate regression analyses, after adjusting for other risk factors, Lp-PLA(2) index was independently (odds ratio 6.7, P = 0.047) associated with CAD in African-Americans but not Caucasians.


CONCLUSIONS
Lp-PLA(2) activity and index was associated with presence of CAD among African-Americans and Caucasians undergoing coronary angiography. The findings suggest an independent impact of vascular inflammation among African-Americans as contributory to CAD risk and underscore the importance of Lp-PLA(2) as a cardiovascular risk factor.
Anuurad
Erdembileg
E
Department of Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95817, USA.
Ozturk
Zeynep
Z
Enkhmaa
Byambaa
B
Pearson
Thomas A
TA
Berglund
Lars
L
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000097:blood*; D044383:Black People; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase