Randomized trial of an inhibitor of secretory phospholipase A2 on atherogenic lipoprotein subclasses in statin-treated patients with coronary heart disease

AimsTo investigate the effects of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA ₂) inhibition on plasma lipoproteins. Secretory phospholipase A2 isoenzymes promote atherosclerosis by mechanisms that include lipoprotein modification, retention, and oxidation.Methods and resultsPhospholipase Levels And Serological Markers of Atherosclerosis II (PLASMA II) is a Phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-arm study of two once-daily doses of the novel sPLA2 inhibitor, 1-H-indole-3-glyoxamide or varespladib methyl (Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Hayward, CA, USA). One hundred and thirty-five stable coronary heart disease patients were treated with either varespladib methyl 250 mg once daily, varespladib methyl 500 mg once daily, or placebo for 8 weeks. Varespladib methyl treatment resulted in statistically significant dose-dependent reductions that were different from placebo in sPLA2 concentration, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. When compared with placebo, varespladib methyl 500 mg once daily reduced LDL cholesterol by 15 (P < 0.001), non-HDL cholesterol by 15 (P < 0.001), total very LDL (VLDL) particle concentration by 14 (P <0.022), and small VLDL particle concentration by 24 (P= 0.030). Relative to baseline, varespladib methyl 500 mg once daily reduced total LDL particle concentration (7, P =0.002) and small LDL particle concentration (11, P= 0.014).ConclusionReductions in atherogenic lipoproteins suggest that varespladib methyl 500 mg once daily may be an effective anti-atherosclerotic agent.