Effect of Cardiovascular Drugs on the Plasma Levels of Lipoprotein- Associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2)

ABSTRACT

Several lines of evidence suggest that the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic disease. From a pathophysiological point of view the enzyme bound to apolipoprotein-B-containing lipoproteins (which corresponds to more than 90% of plasma enzymatic activity) may play a proatherogenic role since it generates lysophosphatidylcholine and oxidized fatty acids, molecules that have been shown to promote atherogenesis. On the other hand, the enzyme associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) may play an antiatherogenic role since it protects low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from oxidation and diminishes the biological functions of oxidized LDL. Several large-scale, prospective studies have shown that both plasma Lp-PLA2 mass and activity represent important predictors of future cardiovascular risk in primary and secondary prevention populations. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the effect of drugs used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease on the plasma levels of Lp-PLA2. This information may help clinicians to design safe and effective therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic disease.