[Clinical role of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2]

Abstract

Inflammation plays an important role in origin and progression of atheromatous plaque. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is considered a biomarker of inflammation and a predictor of vascular events. Lp-PLA2 is an enzyme secreted by leukocytes and associated with circulating lipoproteins and macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques. Lp-PLA2 hydrolizes phospholipids of oxidized low density lipoproteins and generates two proinflammatory mediators, lysophosphatidylcholine and oxidized nonesterified fatty acids, which play a major role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions, myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Recently the first publications appeared about selective inhibitor of phospholipase A2 - darapladib as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. However, first results need to be confirmed by ongoing large long-term randomized clinical trials.