Effects of A379V variant of the Lp-PLA ₂ gene on Lp-PLA₂ activity and markers of oxidative stress and endothelial function in Koreans

A379V variant in the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂) gene is known to be functional, but there are contradicting data concerning the A379V polymorphism, Lp-PLA₂ activity and cardiovascular disease risk. We determined the interplay between A379V SNP, Lp-PLA₂ activity, and markers of oxidative stress and endothelial function with and without the effect of V279F variant. 3,220 unrelated and healthy Koreans (40–79 years) were genotyped for the Lp-PLA₂ polymorphism (A379V and V279F). Lp-PLA₂ activity and markers of oxidative stress and endothelial function were measured. Lp-PLA₂ activity was 3.9 % higher in A/V subjects (n = 821) and 7.8 % in V/V (n = 79) than in those with A/A (n = 2,320). Urinary levels of 8-epi-PGF_2α were significantly lower in subjects with the A/V or the V/V genotype than in those with the A/A genotype (A/A; 1,426 ± 14, A/V; 1,371 ± 26, V/V; 1,199 ± 58 pg/mg creatinine, P = 0.003). Subjects with the 379 V/V genotype had lower serum concentrations of sICAM-1 and p-selectin compared to those with the A/A or the A/V genotype. When subjects were further stratified into subgroups based on the combination of A379V and V279F genotypes, there was no significant association between A379V genotypes and Lp-PLA₂ activities in the 279 V/V group. However, the associations of the A379V SNP with levels of 8-epi-PGF_2α, sICAM-1, and p-selectin remained in the subset analysis based on the V279F genotypes. This study showed a reduction in oxidative stress in subjects carrying 379V allele and the recessive effect of the A379V on the endothelial function. It is likely that the A379V polymorphism has a qualitative effect, probably by disrupting the affinity of Lp-PLA₂ for platelet-activating factor substrate, towards a more anti-oxidative or anti-atherogenic form.