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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase, Administration, Oral, Adrenergic beta-Antagonists, Aged, Carotid Arteries, Carotid Stenosis, Down-Regulation, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Female, Humans, Lysophosphatidylcholines, Male, Mass Spectrometry, Middle Aged, Phospholipases A2, Plaque, Atherosclerotic, Prospective Studies, Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator, Time Factors.
user
Is treatment with beta-blockers associated with lower levels of Lp-PLA2 and suPAR in carotid plaques? Context: To determine whether a long-term treatment with beta-blockers influences the inflammatory activity in carotid artery disease by reducing the carotid plaque levels of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), its enzymatic products lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPCs), and of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR). One hundred and thirty-four patients with significant symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis undergoing surgery were prospectively included and divided into two groups (Group A or B) based on the absence or presence of an on-going long-term oral treatment with beta-blockers. The harvested carotid plaques were analyzed for the levels of lysoPCs using mass spectrometry and Lp-PLA2 and suPAR by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plaques of patients on long-term treatment with beta-blockers revealed lower levels of Lp-PLA2 (Group A 0.752 ± 0.393 ug/g vs. Group B 0.644 ± 0.445 ug/g, P=.049) as well as suPAR (Group A 0.044 ± 0.024 μg/g vs. Group B 0.036 ± 0.025 μg/g, P=.028). Levels of Lp-PLA2 and suPAR were positively correlated (r=.637, P<.0001). Lp-PLA2 and suPAR levels were also correlated (P<.0001) with the three lysoPC species tested (lysoPC 16:0, lysoPC 18:0. lysoPC 18:1). All the above-mentioned findings were confirmed after correction for age, gender, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and statin usage.
assistant
The reduced levels of Lp-PLA2 and suPAR in human carotid plaques of subjects on long-term treatment with beta-blockers suggest their possible protective role in plaque inflammation. Our findings support an even more selective Lp-PLA2 and suPAR inhibition as a possible strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Final Decision: yes