The role of Lp-PLA 2 and biochemistry parameters as potential biomarkers of coronary artery disease in Asian South-Indians: a case-control study

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide (1,2). Inflammation plays a key role in CAD and the various phases of atherosclerotic plaque development and rupture (3,4). Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a proinflammatory enzyme that is expressed in tissues that contain large numbers of macrophages. While in circulation, Lp-PLA2 [also known as platelet activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH)] associates with diverse lipoproteins including high and low density lipoproteins (HDL and LDL) (3). Both Lp-PLA2 activity and mass (concentration) are associated with CAD as well as cerebrovascular outcomes (4). Several large studies including ARIC, WOSCOPS, MONICA, and Rotterdam have demonstrated that Lp-PLA2 is an independent predictor of CAD (5)