Plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase and carotid intima-media thickness in European individuals at high cardiovascular risk

• DOI: 10.1194/jlr.p014977
• Publication Date: 2011-05-20T02:52:08Z
• Authors: Laura Calabresi; Damiano Baldassarre; Sara Simonelli; Monica Gomaraschi; Mauro Amato; Samuela Castelnuovo; Beatrice Frigerio; Alessio Ravani; Daniela Sansaro; Jussi Kauhanen; Rainer Rauramaa; Ulf de Faire; Anders Hamsten; Andries J. Smit; Elmo Mannarino; Steve E. Humphries; Philippe Giral; Fabrizio Veglia; Cesare R. Sirtori; Guido Franceschini; Elena Tremoli
• Keywords: Lecithin—cholesterol acyltransferase; Sterol O-acyltransferase; Intima-media thickness

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is the enzyme responsible for cholesterol esterification in plasma. LCAT a major factor HDL remodeling and metabolism, it has long been believed to play critical role macrophage reverse transport (RCT). The effect of on human atherogenesis still controversial. In present study, plasma concentration was measured all subjects (n = 540) not drug treatment at time enrollment multicenter, longitudinal, observational IMPROVE study. Mean maximum intima-media thickness (IMT) whole carotid tree by B-mode ultrasonography subjects. entire cohort, quartiles were associated with mean IMT (P trend 0.95 0.18, respectively), also after adjustment age, gender, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides. No association between observed men (P=0.30 P=0.99 IMT, whereas increased women 0.14 0.019 respectively). findings support concept that required an efficient low activity atherosclerosis.