Abstract

Background: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an inflammatory biomarker involved in atherosclerosis and directly associated with cardiovascular events. Aim: To determine Lp-PLA2 levels in asymptomatic subjects with differing cardiovascular risk. Material and Methods: We studied 152 subjects aged 46 11 years (69 women). We recorded traditional cardiovascular risk factors, creatinine, ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, fasting lipids, blood sugar and activity levels of Lp-PLA2. Cardiovascular risk was classified according to the number of risk factors of each subject (0, 1-2 or >= 3 risk factors). Besides, we calculated global Framingham risk score. Results: The average Framingham score of participants was 6%. Twenty percent of participants had no risk factors, 46% had 1 or 2 and 34% had >= 3. Mean Lp-PLA2 levels were 185 >= 48 nmol/ml/min (201 >= 49 in men and 166 38 in women). Lp-PLA2 correlated significantly (p < 0,05 for all) with non-HDL cholesterol, LDL, HDL, creatinine, waist circumference, body mass index and Framingham risk score. There was no correlation with blood sugar, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen or smoking status. Lp-PLA2 levels were significantly higher according to the number of risk factors: 0 factors: 163 43, 1-2 factors: 185 45 and 3 factors: 201 47 nmol/ml/min, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed that the best predictor of Lp-PLA2 was non-HDL cholesterol (beta = 0,74; p < 0,0001). Conclusions: Lp-PLA2 activity increased along with the number of cardiovascular risk factors and was correlated mainly with non HDL cholesterol.