Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 increases risk of coronary disease

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), an inflammatory enzyme expressed in atherosclerotic plaques, is a therapeutic target being assessed in trials of vascular disease prevention.

Lp-PLA2 activity and mass each show continuous associations with risk of coronary heart disease, similar in magnitude to that with non-HDL cholesterol or systolic blood pressure.



Lipoprotein structure (chylomicron). Image source: Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License.

References:

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and risk of coronary disease, stroke, and mortality: collaborative analysis of 32 prospective studies. The Lancet, Volume 375, Issue 9725, Pages 1536 - 1544, 1 May 2010.