HDL biology
CETP concentration is elevated and inversely correlates with hemoglobin in women with iron deficiency anaemia (Clin Lab 2015)
Original title: The Relationship Between Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A(2), Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein and Lipid Profile and Risk of Atherosclerosis in Women with Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Comparing 80 women with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) to 80 age-matched healthy controls, researchers found IDA women had higher triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol, alongside significantly higher Lp-PLA2 activity, Lp-PLA2 concentration, and CETP concentration. CETP concentration correlated negatively with hemoglobin (r=-0.56, P less than 0.01) and HDL-C (r=-0.35, P less than 0.05), and positively with triglyceride level (r=0.34, P less than 0.05). The authors conclude that elevated circulating CETP and Lp-PLA2 may contribute to atherogenic lipid disturbances in women with iron deficiency anaemia through increased susceptibility to lipoprotein oxidation.
Original abstract
Background: The relationship between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), and risk of atherosclerosis in IDA women has not been fully clarified. The objective of this study was to investigate lipid-related atherogenic risk factors in women with IDA.
Methods: Eighty women with IDA and 80 age-matched healthy women as the control group were enrolled in the study. Serum lipid profile, Lp-PLA2, and CETP were determined. Correlations between lipid-related atherogenic risk factors were analyzed by Pearson's correlation analyses.
Results: TG levels were higher and HDL-C levels were lower in the IDA women. Lp-PLA2 activity, Lp-PLA2 concentration, and CETP concentration were higher in the IDA women. There were negative correlations between activity or concentration of Lp-PLA2 and hemoglobin level (r = -0.29 or r = -0.33, p < 0.05), as well as HDL-C level (r = -0.38 or r = -0.35, p < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed between Lp-PLA2 activity and Lp-PLA2 concentration and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level (r = 0.41 or r = 0.36 respectively, p < 0.05). CETP concentration was negatively correlated with hemoglobin (r = -0.56, p < 0.01) and HDL-C level (r = -0.35, p < 0.05) and positively correlated with triglyceride level (r = 0.34, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Increases in the levels of circulating CETP and Lp-PLA2 might partly play a role in the atherogenic disturbances in patients with IDA through increased susceptibility to lipid peroxidation.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.