The Relationship Between Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A(2), Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein and Lipid Profile and Risk of Atherosclerosis in Women with Iron Deficiency Anaemia.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), and risk of atherosclerosis in IDA women has not been fully clarified. The objective of this study was to investigate lipid-related atherogenic risk factors in women with IDA.

METHODS: Eighty women with IDA and 80 age-matched healthy women as the control group were enrolled in the study. Serum lipid profile, Lp-PLA2, and CETP were determined. Correlations between lipid-related atherogenic risk factors were analyzed by Pearson's correlation analyses.

RESULTS: TG levels were higher and HDL-C levels were lower in the IDA women. Lp-PLA2 activity, Lp-PLA2 concentration, and CETP concentration were higher in the IDA women. There were negative correlations between activity or concentration of Lp-PLA2 and hemoglobin level (r = -0.29 or r = -0.33, p < 0.05), as well as HDL-C level (r = -0.38 or r = -0.35, p < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between Lp-PLA2 activity and Lp-PLA2 concentration and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level (r = 0.41 or r = 0.36 respectively, p < 0.05). CETP concentration was negatively correlated with hemoglobin (r = -0.56, p < 0.01) and HDL-C level (r = -0.35, p < 0.05) and positively correlated with triglyceride level (r = 0.34, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Increases in the levels of circulating CETP and Lp-PLA2 might partly play a role in the atherogenic disturbances in patients with IDA through increased susceptibility to lipid peroxidation.