RESUMEN

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in most industrialized countries. However, the diagnosis and management of coronary heart disease is far from optimal. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), also known as platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase, is an enzyme that hydrolyses oxidized phospholipids and is primarily associated with low-density lipoprotein. Discussed in this review is the accumulating evidence supporting the view that Lp-PLA2 is a potential biomarker of coronary heart disease and plays and an important proinflammatory role in the progression of atherosclerosis. A new ELISA method for the quantitative measurement of Lp-PLA2 mass in human plasma developed by diaDexus, Inc. is presented. Furthermore, potential clinical applications of Lp-PLA2 mass measurements are proposed.

Asunto(s)

Arteriosclerosis/diagnóstico , Enfermedad Coronaria/diagnóstico , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática/métodos , Fosfolipasas A/sangre , 1-Alquil-2-acetilglicerofosfocolina Esterasa , Arteriosclerosis/genética , Arteriosclerosis/metabolismo , Biomarcadores/sangre , Enfermedad Coronaria/genética , Enfermedad Coronaria/metabolismo , Humanos , Lipoproteínas LDL/metabolismo , Fosfolipasas A/química , Fosfolipasas A/genética , Fosfolipasas A2 , Análisis de Regresión , Factores de Riesgo