Elevated circulating levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in obese children

Abstract

We found significantly higher Lp-PLA2 levels in obese children than lean controls. Interestingly, they all had levels >200 ng/mL, which are considered to correlate with atherosclerosis and a high thromboembolic risk in adults. The positive correlation of Lp-PLA2 with BMI suggests that Lp-PLA2 might be the link between obesity and increased cardiovascular risk, which can be elevated even at a very young age. Measurement of Lp-PLA2 in plasma could therefore represent a further biomarker for assessing increased CVD risk in obese children and adolescents.

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2: a new marker to determine cardiovascular risk in hypercholesterolemic dyslipidaemic children

“…Ryu et al 29 explored Lp-PLA 2 mass and activity levels in children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia and found that they were significantly higher compared to their unaffected siblings. While some found a correlation between BMI and Lp-PLA 2 levels in overweight and obese children, [30][31][32] others did not. 33 Castro et al 34 reported elevated Lp-PLA 2 activity in young diabetic adults and adolescents compared with activities found in healthy controls.…”

Maternal Gestational Diabetes Mellitus increases placental and foetal lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 which might exert protective functions against oxidative stress

“…Neonates from GDM pregnancies are prone to be macrosomic, have increased fat depositions 48 and an increased risk for development of Type 2 diabetes later in life 49 . Several studies have investigated LpPLA 2 levels in obese children and adolescents and all found correlations between LpPLA 2 activity and BMI 50 , 51 as well as fat mass and waist circumference 52 . Other studies also showed that LpPLA 2 activity is a predictor of Type 2 diabetes development 19 .…”

Interface of Phospholipase Activity, Immune Cell Function, and Atherosclerosis

“…An autopsy examination study on 25 sudden coronary death patients found Lp-PLA2 to be highly upregulated in the ruptured plaques found in the human coronary arteries and their cap fibroatheromas [ 46 ]. Several large studies have continued to show that Lp-PLA2 is an independent and reliable predictor of cardiovascular diseases [ 47 , 48 ]. Based on these pieces of evidence and the recommendations of several major international societies, Lp-PLA2 is considered a cardiovascular disease risk factor by the Food and Drug Administration [ 49 ].…”