Association between the serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 level and acute coronary syndrome.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the association between serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂) level and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and to analyse the correlations of Lp-PLA₂ concentration with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride (TG), troponin I (TNI), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, and severity of coronary artery disease.

Methods: A total of 75 patients were divided into an unstable angina (UA) group (n = 54) and an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) group (n = 21). Another 72 subjects with normal coronary angiography results were selected as a control group. The levels of hs-CRP, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C and TNI were determined. Serum Lp-PLA₂ concentration was measured by enhanced immunoturbidimetry. The Gensini score was obtained based on coronary angiography results.

Results: The serum Lp-PLA₂ concentration significantly increased in the AMI and UA groups compared with that of the control group (p < 0.05). Compared with the UA group, the AMI group had significantly increased levels of hs-CRP and TNI and higher Gensini score (p < 0.05). The UA group had increased levels of hs-CRP and higher Gensini score compared with those of the control group (p < 0.05), while the two groups had similar TNI levels (p > 0.05). Using serum Lp-PLA₂ concentration as the dependent variable, and hs-CRP, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, TNI and Gensini score as independent variables, the analysis results showed that Lp-PLA₂ concentration was positively correlated with BMI and hs-CRP, LDL-C and TNI levels.

Conclusions: There was a positive correlation between Lp-PLA₂ concentration and LDL-C level, therefore plasma LDL-C level should be controlled to prevent ACS.