Highlights
- •It remains unclear whether Lp-PLA2 is related to subclinical atherosclerosis, independently from small LDL particles.
- •A cross-sectional study in a population-based random sample of asymptomatic Japanese men.
- •Japanese have a wider Lp-PLA2 distribution than Western people.
- •Lp-PLA2 activity was associated with carotid IMT and plaque but not with CAC score, independently from small LDL particles.
- •V279F genotype was not associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, although variant type had low Lp-PLA2 activity.
Abstract
Objective
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an enzyme predominantly bound to low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Lp-PLA2 is recognized as playing a key role in inflammatory processes and the development
of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to investigate whether Lp-PLA2 is related to subclinical atherosclerosis, independently from traditional risk factors,
in a general Japanese population by analyses of both the observational study and Mendelian
randomization using V279F polymorphism.
Methods and results
We cross-sectionally examined community-based sample of 929 Japanese men aged 40–79
years, without statin treatment, who were randomly selected from the resident registration.
Multiple regression analyses of Lp-PLA2 activity and concentration were undertaken separately for men aged 40–49 years and
50–79 years, to clarify interactions of age and Lp-PLA2. Lp-PLA2 activity for men aged 50–79 years was significantly and positively related to intima-media
thickness (IMT) (P = 0.013) and plaque index (P = 0.008) independent of traditional risk factors including small LDL particles, but
not to coronary artery calcification (CAC) score. Associations with Lp-PLA2 concentration were qualitatively similar to those of activity. Corresponding relationships
were not observed in men aged 40–49 years. Mendelian randomization analyses based
on V279F genotype did not show any significant associations with subclinical atherosclerosis,
although the homozygote and heterozygote of V279F showed low Lp-PLA2 activity and concentration.
Conclusions
Lp-PLA2 activity in Japanese men aged 50–79 years was associated significantly and positively
with IMT and plaque in the carotid artery but Mendelian randomization did not support
that Lp-PLA2 is a causative factor for subclinical atherosclerosis.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 22, 2015
Accepted:
December 19,
2015
Received in revised form:
December 7,
2015
Received:
June 11,
2015
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
