Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein

Published on: October 12, 2017

Elevated plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ activity is associated with plaque rupture in patients with

Chuan-Fen Liu¹, Li Qin, Jing-Yi Ren

¹Department of Cardiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.

Chinese Medical Journal

|September 22, 2011

Insights

Elevated lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity is linked to plaque rupture in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. This finding suggests Lp-PLA2 may serve as a valuable biomarker for identifying vulnerable plaques.

Area of Science:

Cardiology
Biomarkers
Vascular Biology

Background:

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity is associated with coronary events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Direct evidence linking Lp-PLA2 activity to vulnerable plaque characteristics in CAD patients was previously lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between plasma Lp-PLA2 activity and vulnerable plaque features in patients with CAD.
To determine if Lp-PLA2 activity is an independent predictor of plaque rupture.

Main Methods:

Plasma Lp-PLA2 activity was measured in 146 consecutive CAD patients undergoing coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).
Patients were analyzed for plaque rupture, positive remodeling, and soft plaque characteristics using IVUS.
Multivariate logistic regression was employed to assess independent associations.

Main Results:

Of 83 analyzed patients, 47% had plaque rupture, predominantly in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.
Patients with plaque rupture showed significantly more positive remodeling and soft plaques.
Plasma Lp-PLA2 activity was independently associated with plaque rupture (OR 1.13-1.11) after adjusting for clinical and IVUS parameters.

Conclusions:

Plasma Lp-PLA2 activity is significantly associated with plaque rupture in CAD patients.
Lp-PLA2 activity is an independent predictor of plaque rupture, beyond traditional risk factors, hs-CRP, and IVUS findings.
Lp-PLA2 may serve as a potential risk marker for vulnerable plaques in coronary artery disease.

Read full analysis

Abstract

Background:

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) has recently been shown to be positively related to coronary events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, direct evidence about the relationship between circulation Lp-PLA(2) activity and vulnerable plaque in patients with CAD remains lacking.

Methods:

Plasma Lp-PLA(2) activity was determined in 146 consecutive patients with CAD who underwent clinically-indicated coronary angiography and preinterventional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Results:

Eighty-three patients were included in the final analysis after the initial screening. Sixty (72.3%) were acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and 23 (27.7%) were stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients. Plaque rupture occurred in 39 (47.0%) patients, and 34 (87.2%) were from ACS patients and 5 (12.8%) from SAP patients. There were no significant differences in clinical and angiographic characteristics between patients with plaque rupture and those without plaque rupture, except for smoking, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and Lp-PLA(2) activity (all P < 0.05). IVUS measurement uncovered that patients with plaque rupture had more frequent positive remodeling (74.4% vs. 43.2%, P = 0.004), soft plaques (64.1% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.012) and higher remodeling index (1.13 ± 0.16 vs. 0.99 ± 0.11, P = 0.041) as compared with those without plaque rupture. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that plasma Lp-PLA(2) activity was independently associated with plaque rupture after adjusting for smoking, positive remodeling and soft plaque (Model 1: odds ratio (OR) 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06 - 1.20) or adjusting for smoking, hs-CRP level, positive remodeling and soft plaque (Model 2: OR 1.11, 95%CI: 1.04 - 1.19).

Conclusions:

Plasma Lp-PLA(2) activity is associated with plaque rupture in patients with CAD, independently of traditional CAD risk factors, hs-CRP level and IVUS parameters. Lp-PLA(2) may be a risk marker for vulnerable plaques.

More Related Videos

High-Density Lipoprotein-Specific Phospholipid Efflux Assay

High-Density Lipoprotein-Specific Phospholipid Efflux Assay

Published on: September 30, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...

Inflammation

Inflammation

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Economic costs of implementing evidence-based telemedicine outreach for posttraumatic stress disorder in VA.

Implementation research and practice·2023

Identifying Individual and Clinic Characteristics Associated With Primary Care Provider Turnover During Implementation of the Veterans Health Administration Patient-Centered Medical Home.

The Journal of ambulatory care management·2023

Does Long-Term Post-Bariatric Weight Change Differ Across Antidepressants?

Annals of surgery open : perspectives of surgical history, education, and clinical approaches·2023

Potential drug-drug interactions in drug therapy for older adults with chronic coronary syndrome at hospital discharge: A real-world study.

Frontiers in pharmacology·2022

The Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Long-term Depression Treatment in Patients With Obesity.

Annals of surgery·2022

How Did Veterans' Reliance on Veterans Health Administration Outpatient Care Change After Expansion of the Veterans Community Care Program?

Medical care·2022

See all related articles