Phospholipases in cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases comprise a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in the modern world. Atherosclerosis, the most common pathophysiological process leading to cardiovascular disease, is a complex process involving many different pathways some of which are still under investigation. It has been shown that traditional risk factors are not sufficient in predicting cardiovascular events in the general population. Present research for the detection of substances that play a role in the atherogenic process has linked phospholipases with cardiovascular disease. Phospholipases, such as secretory phospholipase A2 and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), have been considered as markers of vascular inflammation and could therefore play an important role in cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, it has been shown that pharmacological inhibition of Lp-PLA2 activity could exert beneficiary effects on the atherosclerotic process, offering a putative novel target for the management of these patients. This chapter summarizes current knowledge regarding various phospholipases and their role in atherogenesis. Studies involving these molecules will be investigated in order to enlighten the putative pathophysiologic mechanisms by which these proteins exert their effect on cardiovascular function. Additionally, the pharmacological interventions that influence phospholipase activity will be analyzed, proposing a putative new pharmacological approach for the treatment of atherosclerosis.