Lp-LpA2
Encyclopedia
Lipoprotein Associated Phospholipase A2 has been identified and verified in multiple human trials as an enzymatic activity
which is an independent predictor of atherosclotic disease
progression and events in humans, including coronary heart disease
, because it promotes oxidation of lipoprotein
s and certain fatty acid
s.
It is available to physicians and patients as a blood test
from multiple clinical labs, including LipoScience, and is commonly promoted as the PLAC test. It does not actually measure or reflect the amount of atherosclerotic plaque
present, only one factor affecting progression of existing atherosclerotic plaques.
As of 2009, there is no treatment for elevated levels of this enzymatic activity, though inhibitors are in development and clinical trial
s. Thus currently it is only a marker which can serve as an indicator for more aggressive treatment of those physiologic behaviors which can be changed to slow/halt progression of atherosclerosis.
Enzyme catalysis
Enzyme catalysis is the catalysis of chemical reactions by specialized proteins known as enzymes. Catalysis of biochemical reactions in the cell is vital due to the very low reaction rates of the uncatalysed reactions....
which is an independent predictor of atherosclotic disease
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol...
progression and events in humans, including coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease
Coronary artery disease is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the coronary arteries that supply the myocardium with oxygen and nutrients. It is sometimes also called coronary heart disease...
, because it promotes oxidation of lipoprotein
Lipoprotein
A lipoprotein is a biochemical assembly that contains both proteins and lipids water-bound to the proteins. Many enzymes, transporters, structural proteins, antigens, adhesins, and toxins are lipoproteins...
s and certain fatty acid
Fatty acid
In chemistry, especially biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long unbranched aliphatic tail , which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have a chain of an even number of carbon atoms, from 4 to 28. Fatty acids are usually derived from...
s.
It is available to physicians and patients as a blood test
Blood test
A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed on a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein in the arm using a needle, or via fingerprick....
from multiple clinical labs, including LipoScience, and is commonly promoted as the PLAC test. It does not actually measure or reflect the amount of atherosclerotic plaque
Atheroma
In pathology, an atheroma is an accumulation and swelling in artery walls that is made up of macrophage cells, or debris, that contain lipids , calcium and a variable amount of fibrous connective tissue...
present, only one factor affecting progression of existing atherosclerotic plaques.
As of 2009, there is no treatment for elevated levels of this enzymatic activity, though inhibitors are in development and clinical trial
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
s. Thus currently it is only a marker which can serve as an indicator for more aggressive treatment of those physiologic behaviors which can be changed to slow/halt progression of atherosclerosis.