Smoking induces lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in cardiovascular disease free adults: The ATTICA Study

ObjectivesWe studied the association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) mass and activity with various lifestyle, clinical and biochemical characteristics in cardiovascular disease (CVD) free adults.BackgroundLipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a novel biomarker of inflammation and risk for CVD. The Lp-PLA2 mass and activity are primarily influenced by the plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), however the influence of various lifestyle characteristics on Lp-PLA2 have not been adequately studied.Methods and resultsIn a random sub-sample of 186 subjects, 64 men (52 ± 13 years) and 122 women (48 ± 13 years) from the ATTICA Study (Greece), Lp-PLA2 activity and mass in total plasma as well as the enzyme activity and mass associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL-Lp-PLA2) were determined using established methods. Several socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed in all participants. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that among the lifestyle characteristics, total plasma Lp-PLA2 activity and mass were positively and independently associated with current smoking (p = 0.02 and p = 0.05, respectively), as well as with exposure to second-hand smoke (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, HDL-Lp-PLA2 activity and mass were inversely and independently associated with current smoking (p = 0.04 and p = 0.09, respectively).ConclusionsSmoking is associated with and might even induce an increase in proatherogenic total plasma Lp-PLA2, but attenuates antiatherogenic HDL-Lp-PLA2. These results further support the role of smoking as an important avoidable cause of CVD.