Plasma lysophosphatidic acid and phosphatidate levels in the elderly: Comparison before and after combined intervention

Aim: To confirm the preventive effects of plasma lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and phosphatidate (PA) on thrombosis by screening LPA and PA in the elderly. Methods: Determination of LPA and PA contents in 1 657 retired veteran officials between April and July 2004 and 1 748 retired veteran officials between April and July 2005 was carried out respectively, and the subjects with LPA > 3.0 μmol/L and PA > 5.0 μmol/L positive were treated with medication. Meanwhile, 119 subjects with LPA and/or PA positive were selected in 2004 and randomly divided into two groups: 1Intervention group (n =72) including 63 males and 9 females, average age of 78 years, oral administration of aspirin, 100 mg daily for 1 month. 2Control-group (n =47) including 42 males and 5 females, average age of 76 years. LPA and PA contents in both groups were detected after intervention. Results: All subjects were involved in the result analysis. There was a markedly lower positive rate of PA and LPA+PA in 2005 than those in 2004 (P < 0.01), particularly that of PA. The average values of LPA and PA contents in 2005 were lower than those in 2004 (P < 0.01). After intervention, LPA and PA contents in the intervention group were markedly lower than those before intervention and in controls (P < 0.01). Conclusion: 1Determination of LPA and PA contents can predict thrombosis and serve as an important method to confirm the effects of anti-thrombus therapies. 2There is a decrease in plasma LPA and PA following aspirin intervention, which serves as an effective means of decreasing the incidence of ischemic diseases.