Elevated serum levels of lipoprotein‑associated phospholipase A2 predict mortality rates in patients with sepsis

Sepsis remains one of the leading contributors to mortality rates in the intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency intensive care unit (EICU). Therefore, any treatments against the agents which produce sepsis in a medical emergency, are welcome. Elevated serum levels of lipoprotein‑associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‑PLA2) have been reported in a small cohort of patients with inflammation. The present study evaluated serum levels of Lp‑PLA2 in patients with sepsis and investigated the role of Lp‑PLA2 in sepsis. The investigation involved the selection of 151 patients with sepsis admitted to the emergency department of the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University (Nantong, China) and 30 healthy controls. All patients (39 with sepsis, 55 with severe sepsis and 57 with septic shock) were examined on admission to the EICU. A complete blood count was performed, and serum levels of Lp‑PLA2, C‑reactive protein, procalcitonin, and interleukin 6, sequential organ failure (SOFA) scores and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores were determined on hospital admission. The EICU and overall mortality rates were evaluated at baseline. The present study also assessed various laboratory parameters, clinical data and inflammatory cytokines. The patient follow up duration was 90 days. The data suggested that the serum levels of Lp‑PLA2 on admission to the EICU in patients with sepsis were elevated, compared with those in healthy controls. The concentrations of Lp‑PLA2 were correlated with the severity of disease, and were significantly associated with experimental markers of inflammation and established prognostic scores. In the total cohort, persistently elevated levels of Lp‑PLA2 on admission for EICU treatment was a predictor of poor prognosis, and provided superior diagnostic use, compared with the prognostic scoring systems, including SOFA or APACHE II scores. Taken together, the results suggested that Lp‑PLA2, with respect to other markers of inflammation, may have a role as a prognostic marker in sepsis, and provide background evidence for further trials to evaluate the clinical and pathophysiologic roles of Lp‑PLA2 in sepsis. Persistently elevated serum concentrations of Lp‑PLA2 indicated an unfavorable outcome in patients with sepsis. In addition, the results indicated the potential role of Lp‑PLA2 as a prognostic biomarker in patients with sepsis during the early course of EICU treatment.