Plasmalogens in human serum positively correlate with high- density lipoprotein and decrease with aging

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cardiovascular Research
• Gerontology

Background:

• Plasmalogens are ether phospholipids with antioxidant properties.
• Aging is associated with decreased plasmalogen levels.
• Plasmalogens may play a role in cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association of serum plasmalogens with cardiovascular risk factors.
• To determine the impact of aging on serum plasmalogen levels.
• To propose plasmalogens as a beneficial plasma factor.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of serum plasmalogens and biochemical markers in elderly subjects with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Clinical evaluation of coronary stenosis, hyperlipidemia, abnormal glucose tolerance, and hypertension.
• Comparison of plasmalogen levels between elderly and young healthy subjects.

Main Results:

• Serum plasmalogen levels decreased with aging and were lower in subjects with coronary stenosis and abnormal glucose tolerance.
• Plasmalogens showed a positive correlation with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I).
• The ratio of choline plasmalogen (ChoPlas) to ethanolamine plasmalogen (EtnPlas) correlated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size and negatively with apo A-II and triglycerides (TG).

Conclusions:

• Serum plasmalogens function as beneficial factors in human plasma, similar to HDL.
• Reduced plasmalogen levels are linked to aging and cardiovascular risk factors.
• Serum plasmalogen measurement is a potentially useful tool for clinical diagnosis.