Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular cardiovascular exercise
- Smoking cessation
- Weight management
Blutwerte · Marker
Lp-PLA2
Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 · PLAC Test
Herzmarker
- Einheit:
- ng/mL
Lp-PLA2 quantifies the enzyme activity associated with the hydrolysis of oxidized phospholipids on LDL particles.
Reference Ranges
Reference
200–400ng/mL
200
300
400
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Optimal
Unit · ng/mLReference ranges may vary slightly based on laboratory standards and population demographics.
Overview
Übersicht
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an enzyme primarily associated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles in the bloodstream. It plays a role in the hydrolysis of oxidized phospholipids, generating pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic compounds. Researchers have observed that Lp-PLA2 is involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis by contributing to the inflammatory processes within arterial walls. Clinically, Lp-PLA2 is considered a biomarker for cardiovascular disease risk. Elevated levels of Lp-PLA2 have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. It reflects underlying inflammatory activity and endothelial dysfunction, providing insights into the progression of atherosclerotic disease. For athletes and biohackers, monitoring Lp-PLA2 levels could offer insights into cardiovascular health and the potential risk of developing atherosclerosis, which may impact long-term performance and longevity. However, researchers have found that Lp-PLA2 levels can be influenced by factors such as lipid levels, inflammation, and certain medications. It is recommended to consider these confounders when interpreting test results, and fasting is typically not required for accurate measurement.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated Lp-PLA2 levels indicate increased cardiovascular risk, reflecting inflammation and atherosclerotic activity. Reduced levels may suggest lower cardiovascular risk but should be interpreted in the context of overall lipid and inflammatory profiles.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising values suggest increasing cardiovascular risk and may warrant more frequent monitoring or intervention.
Falling Values
Progressively falling values may indicate a reduction in cardiovascular risk, possibly due to lifestyle changes or medication.
Re-test Interval
6 months if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Hyperlipidemia
- Chronic inflammation
- Metabolic syndrome
- Diabetes mellitus
- Smoking
Cause
Low Levels
- Low LDL levels
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Statin therapy
- Healthy lifestyle
- Low cardiovascular risk
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Mediterranean diet
- Increased fiber intake
- Reduced saturated fat consumption
Lever
Supplementation
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Niacin
Note:
Consult a healthcare provider before making significant lifestyle or dietary changes, especially if on medication.
Testing Guidelines
✓Fasting Not Required
✓Not Time-Sensitive
Testing Frequency
Annually for individuals with cardiovascular risk factors or as advised by a healthcare provider.
Interfering Factors
- Recent acute illness
- Active infection
- Recent surgery
Related Peptides & Hormones
Crp
hormone or peptideCorrelated with
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that reference ranges and optimal targets for Lp-PLA2 levels remain debated, particularly regarding its role in different populations and disease states. Researchers have not yet established the impact of confounders such as age, sex, and comorbidities on Lp-PLA2's predictive value for cardiovascular events. Additionally, clinical questions remain unanswered regarding the long-term effects of Lp-PLA2 inhibition on cardiovascular outcomes and its potential as a therapeutic target in diverse patient populations.
44 Research Publications
889
Total Citations
18
Human/RCT
3.1
Avg. Influence
2025
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
Cardiovascular Biomarkers: Tools for Precision Diagnosis and Prognosis.
Netala Vasudeva Reddy, et al. · International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
ReviewInfluence6.0
116
This study reviewed various cardiovascular biomarkers, including Lp-PLA2, highlighting their roles in diagnosing and predicting cardiovascular diseases. Researchers found that these biomarkers can provide insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic responses, emphasizing their importance in personalized medicine.
Key findings
- 01Researchers observed that enzyme markers are essential for identifying heart injury during acute events.
- 02Researchers found that protein and peptide markers are important for diagnosing conditions like heart failure and myocardial infarction.
- 03Researchers noted that emerging biomarkers, including microRNAs, offer new ways to detect heart disease early and assess its severity.
02Top
#02
Role of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in atherosclerosis.
ReviewInfluence3.0
97
03Top
#03
Lp-PLA2: an emerging biomarker of coronary heart disease.
ReviewInfluence8.0
89
This review discussed Lp-PLA2 as an emerging biomarker for coronary heart disease. Researchers emphasized its proinflammatory role in atherosclerosis and presented a new ELISA method for measuring Lp-PLA2 levels in plasma.
04
#04
Inflammatory biomarkers and cerebral small vessel disease: a community-based cohort study.
Zhang Ding-Ding, et al. · Stroke and vascular neurology · 2022
HumanInfluence4.0
79
This study explored associations between inflammatory biomarkers, including Lp-PLA2, and cerebral small vessel disease. Researchers found that certain inflammatory markers were linked to increased white matter hyperintensity and lacunes.
Key findings
- 01Researchers found that high levels of endothelial-related inflammatory biomarkers were associated with increased white matter hyperintensity volume.
- 02They observed that lacunes in the brain were also linked to these endothelial-related inflammatory markers.
- 03Additionally, fewer deep medullary veins were associated with systemic inflammation, indicating different inflammatory processes at play.
05
#05
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 activity and risk of recurrent stroke.
HumanInfluence5.0
72
This study investigated the association between Lp-PLA2 activity and recurrent stroke risk. Researchers found that patients in the highest quartile of Lp-PLA2 activity had a significantly increased risk of recurrent stroke compared to those in the lowest quartile.
06
#06
Pathophysiological role and clinical significance of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂) bound to LDL and HDL.
ReviewInfluence2.0
68
Researchers reviewed the biochemical properties of Lp-PLA2 and its association with LDL and HDL. They found that LDL-associated Lp-PLA2 is linked to cardiovascular risk, while HDL-associated Lp-PLA2 may have protective effects.
07
#07
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2): a review of its role and significance as a cardiovascular biomarker.
Vittos Oana, et al. · Biomarkers : biochemical indicators of exposure, response, and susceptibility to chemicals · 2012
ReviewInfluence2.0
63
This comprehensive review assessed Lp-PLA2's significance in cardiovascular diseases. Researchers found a consistent association between Lp-PLA2 levels and cardiovascular events across diverse populations, reinforcing its role as a vascular inflammation biomarker.
Key findings
- 01Researchers observed a strong connection between Lp-PLA2 levels and various cardiovascular events.
- 02The findings were consistent across different sexes and ethnic backgrounds.
- 03Lp-PLA2 may serve as an important target for future cardiovascular disease prevention and personalized medicine.
08
#08
Deciphering the Causal Role of sPLA2s and Lp-PLA2 in Coronary Heart Disease.
ReviewInfluence1.0
41
This study examined the causal relationship between Lp-PLA2 and coronary heart disease. Researchers found that elevated levels of Lp-PLA2 are unlikely to be causal risk factors for the disease, suggesting that prior genetic studies could improve the efficiency of drug development.
09
#09
Identification of Inflammation-Related Biomarker Lp-PLA2 for Patients With COPD by Comprehensive Analysis.
Human
38
Researchers identified Lp-PLA2 as a promising biomarker for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study demonstrated that Lp-PLA2 levels correlate with disease severity and can effectively assess exercise tolerance in patients.
10
#10
[Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2].
Rubinstein Ardon & Izkhakov Elena · Harefuah · 2011
Meta-Analysis
31
Researchers examined the role of Lp-PLA2 as an inflammatory biomarker linked to plaque instability in coronary heart disease. They found that elevated Lp-PLA2 levels correlate with increased cardiovascular risk and plaque inflammation, suggesting its utility in risk assessment.
Key findings
- 01Researchers observed that Lp-PLA2 is an inflammatory biomarker that indicates plaque instability in arteries.
- 02The study found that high levels of Lp-PLA2 are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients.
- 03Researchers noted that Lp-PLA2 levels can help identify individuals at moderate to high risk for coronary heart disease.
Clinical Trials (9)
9
Total Trials
3,343
Total Enrolled
Preeclamptic Patients and Pentraxin 3 & Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2
NCT04239352COMPLETED
Sponsor
Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital
Enrollment
80
Started
2020
Primary outcome
study group
Pre-Eclampsia
Serum Lipid Levels and Lp-PLA2 in Chronic Periodontitis
NCT03041480COMPLETED
Sponsor
Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital
Enrollment
75
Started
2015
Primary outcome
Estimation of serum Lp-PLA2
Chronic Periodontitis (Disorder)
Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
NCT03362112COMPLETED
Sponsor
Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University
Enrollment
1,713
Started
2015
Primary outcome
Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2
Type2 Diabetes
Physiopathology of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Mechanistic Studies
NCT02959723UNKNOWN
Sponsor
Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven
Enrollment
100
Started
2015
Primary outcome
Circulating Inflammatory Biomarkers: CRP, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, Lp-PLA2 activity, Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis Inhibitor (TAFI), vitamin D
Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Clinical and Laboratory Biomarkers in Patients With Atherothrombotic Stroke
NCT02450721UNKNOWN
Sponsor
St. Petersburg State Pavlov Medical University
Enrollment
97
Started
2011
Primary outcome
Mean concentration of Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 (LP-PL-A2)
Carotid Artery DiseasesStroke
ST Elevation in Acute Chest Pain; Could Measurement of Lipoprotein-associated Phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) be Helpful to the Clinician?
NCT01041339COMPLETED
Sponsor
Alexhander Izhaki
Enrollment
40
Started
2010
Acute Chest Syndrome
Lp-PLA2 and Coronary Atherosclerosis in Humans
NCT01557088COMPLETED
Sponsor
Mayo Clinic
Enrollment
166
Started
2009
Primary outcome
Lp-PLA2 Assessment
Coronary AtherosclerosisEndothelial Dysfunction
SB-480848 In Subjects With Coronary Heart Disease
Sponsor
GlaxoSmithKline
Enrollment
969
Started
2005
Primary outcome
On treatment sustained inhibition of plasma Lp-PLA2 activity.
Atherosclerosis
Study to Determine the Effect of 14 Days Dosing With Darapladib (SB-480848) on Carotid Plague Composition in Patients With Planned Carotid Endarterectomy
Sponsor
GlaxoSmithKline
Enrollment
103
Started
2003
Primary outcome
Lp-PLA2 activity in the atherosclerotic plaque removed during carotid endarterectomy
Atherosclerosis
Publication Trend
Research publications about Lp-PLA2 over time
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