Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2：an independent predictor of vascular risk and a novel target for therapy

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2（Lp-PLA2） can rapidly hydrolize and oxidize the oxidized phosphatidylcholine molecules produced in low density lipoprotein and atherogenic lipoprotein （a）,generating the soluble proinflammatory and proapoptotic mediatorslyso-phosphatidylcholine and oxidized free fatty acids.It stimulates aggregation and activation of monocyte-macrophage system and induces apoptosis and damages the removal of dead cells.It plays an important role in the development of lipid necrotic core of atherosclerosis.Lp-PLA2 is not an independent risk marker of coronary artery disease and ischemic stroke,but also plays an important role in the development of atherosclerotic plaques.Selective Lp-PLA2 inhibitor reduces the development of necrotic cores.It may play a role in the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques.At the same time,it may represent a novel target for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Key words: 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine esterase Phospholipases A2 Atherosclerosis Coronary artery disease Stroke Brain ischemia Macrophages Apoptosis