Oxidation of low density lipoproteins is an initial step of atherogenesis that generates pro-inflammatory phospholipids, including platelet-activating factor (PAF). PAF is degraded by PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), which has been postulated to be a risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI). The role of PAF-AH for the onset of premature MI is unclear.
Platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase A379V (exon 11) gene polymorphism is an independent and functional risk factor for premature myocardial infarction.
