title: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 prognostic role in atherosclerotic complications.
abstract: Atherosclerosis manifests itself clinically at advanced stages when plaques undergo hemorrhage and/or rupture with superimposed thrombosis, thus abruptly stopping blood supply. Identification of markers of plaque destabilization at a pre-clinical stage is, therefore, a major goal of cardiovascular research. Promising results along this line were provided by studies investigating the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), a member of phospholipase A2 proteins family that plays a key role in the metabolism of pro-inflammatory phospholipids, as oxidized low-density lipoproteins, and in the generation of pro-atherogenic metabolites, including lysophosphatidylcholine and oxidized free fatty acids. We herein review the experimental and clinical studies supporting use of Lp-PLA2 activity for predicting cardiovascular events. To his end we considered not only Lp-PLA2 activity and mass, but also Lp-PLA2 gene variations and their association with incident coronary artery disease, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality. Based on these evidences the major scientific societies have included in their guidelines the measurement of Lp-PLA2 activity among the biomarkers that are useful in risk stratification of adult asymptomatic patients at intermediate cardiovascular risk. The results of two recently published major clinical trials with the Lp-PLA2 inhibitor darapladib, which seem to challenge the pathogenic role of Lp-PLA2, will also be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Giuseppe Maiolino, Valeria Bisogni, Giacomo Rossitto, Gian Paolo Rossi, Department of Medicine - DIMED, Hypertension Clinic, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maiolino
authors.affiliation: Giuseppe Maiolino, Valeria Bisogni, Giacomo Rossitto, Gian Paolo Rossi, Department of Medicine - DIMED, Hypertension Clinic, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bisogni
authors.affiliation: Giuseppe Maiolino, Valeria Bisogni, Giacomo Rossitto, Gian Paolo Rossi, Department of Medicine - DIMED, Hypertension Clinic, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossitto
authors.affiliation: Giuseppe Maiolino, Valeria Bisogni, Giacomo Rossitto, Gian Paolo Rossi, Department of Medicine - DIMED, Hypertension Clinic, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Gian Paolo
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Rossi
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Coronary artery disease; Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2; Myocardial infarction; Prognosis