Phospholipid transfer protein activity is associated with inflammatory markers in patients with cardiovascular disease

Plasma phospholipid lipid transfer protein (PLTP) has several known key functions in lipoprotein metabolism. Recent studies suggest that it also may play a role in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory cell activity contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. To seek further evidence for the association of PLTP with inflammation, we studied the relationship between PLTP activity and five inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), white blood cells (WBC), and fibrinogen] in 93 patients with low HDL and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Plasma PLTP activity had the strongest correlation with CRP (r = 0.332, P < 0.001) followed by SAA (r = 0.239, P = 0.021). PLTP, CRP, and SAA were significantly associated with body mass index (BMI), insulin or glucose, apolipoprotein (apo) B, and/or apo E level (r = 0.264–0.393, P < 0.01). PLTP, SAA, and IL-6 also were associated with the concentration of HDL particles without apo A-II [Lp(A-I)](r = 0.373–0.472, P < 0.005, n = 56), but not particles with apo A-II. Smoking was associated with increased PLTP activity, CRP, and WBC, and hypertension with increased PLTP activity. In linear models, CRP remained significantly associated with PLTP after adjustment of CVD risk factors and insulin resistance. Also, much of the variability of plasma PLTP activity was explained by CRP, BMI, Lp(A-I), smoking, glucose, and blood pressure. These findings show for the first time that plasma PLTP activity is associated positively with CRP in CVD, a state of chronic inflammation.