![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Elevated levels of phospholipase A2 have been linked to atherosclerotic plaque progression, instability via promoting inflammation and subsequent acute coronary events. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated the correlation between elevated levels associated phospholipase A2 and cardiovascular events. Therefore, specific inhibition of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 with darapladib has been tested as a therapeutic option for atherosclerosis. The aim of this profile is to review the physiologic aspects of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and to revisit the clinical evidence of darapladib as therapeutic option for atherosclerosis.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) has shown a pro-atherogenic role for the Lp-PLA2 enzyme supported by biologic and animal data.
Lp-PLA2 (mass and activity) quantification is useful for risk stratification in patients with stable coronary artery disease.
Lp-PLA2 (mass and activity) quantification is useful for risk stratification in patients with acute coronary syndrome, but only after 30 days of the index event.
Natural absence of Lp-PLA2 activity due to genetic polymorphism has protective effect on development of coronary artery disease.
Darapladib is a potent and reversible oral inhibitor of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2.
Darapladib reduces high-risk atherosclerotic plaques in animal and clinical studies.
Darapladib on top of optimal medical therapy failed to shown powered reduction on clinical events in patients with both acute and stable coronary artery disease.
The effect of darapladib in mitigating atherogenic processes in long term is still not known.
