Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A(2) Mass Level Is Increased in Elderly Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) is extensively expressed by advanced atherosclerotic lesions and may play a role in plaque instability. We selected a group of elderly subjects that underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or balloon angioplasty (BA) and separated them into two groups, diabetic and nondiabetic, to compare the level of Lp-PLA(2) mass between them. Methods. 44 patients aged 79.6 ± 5.6 years with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis underwent TAVI (n = 35) or BA (n = 9). 21 subjects had confirmed type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lp-PLA(2) mass was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (USCN Life Science, China) before and 3 days after the procedure. Results. Lp-PLA(2) mass was significantly elevated in this population (1296 ± 358 ng/mL before TAVI; 1413 ± 268 ng/mL before BA) and further increased after TAVI (1604 ± 437 ng/mL, P < 0.01) or BA (1808 ± 303 ng/mL, P < 0.01). Lp-PLA(2) mass was significantly increased on the diabetic group before these interventions. Conclusion. Lp-PLA(2) may be a novel biomarker for the presence of rupture-prone atherosclerotic lesions in elderly patients. Levels of Lp-PLA(2) in diabetic patients may accompany the higher amount of small dense LDL particles seen in these subjects.