title: Association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ activity with components of the metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy boys.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) has been proposed as a biomarker of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the association between Lp-PLA(2) activity and BMI, insulin-resistance, components of the metabolic syndrome (MS), and lifestyle behaviors in healthy adolescent boys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected cross-sectionally from 164 adolescents from an amateur rugby club. BMI, blood pressure (BP), Tanner stages, glucose, insulin, lipids, and Lp-PLA(2) activity were measured. Questionnaires for lifestyle behaviors were completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 26% of the adolescents were obese and 23% overweight. There was a univariate association between Lp-PLA(2) and BMI (r=0.16;p=0.042), triglycerides (r=0.26;p=0.001), LDL-C (r=0.46;p<0.001), apo B (r=0.55;p<0.001), whereas waist circumference , BP, glucose, HOMA-IR, and HDL-C were not correlated. None of the lifestyle behaviors were significantly correlated with Lp-PLA(2). In order to analyze Lp-PLA(2) association with known CVD risk conditions, adolescents were categorized according to overweight/obesity and to the presence of metabolic syndrome. Conversely, as it was for LDL-C and apo B concentration, Lp-PLA(2) activity was not higher in adolescents with obesity. Multiple regression analysis showed that apo B was significantly associated with Lp-PLA(2) adjusted for age, BMI, triglycerides and LDL-C (R2=0.32).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lp-PLA(2) activity was only associated with apo B adjusted for several confounding variables, suggesting that its clinical utility to identify individuals at risk for CVD does not surpass LDL-C and apo B in healthy adolescents. As plaque morphology may change with age, associations of Lp-PLA(2) with CVD may likewise vary with age.
authors.affiliation: Durand Hospital, Maipu 812, Buenos Aires, Argentina. vhirschler@intramed.net
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hirschler
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meroño
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maccallini
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gomez Rosso
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aranda
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brites
mesh_terms: D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase