Effect of aging on susceptibility of low-density lipoproteins to oxidation.
According to the Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program, age is a major risk factor for heart disease. To assess the relation between age and LDL oxidizability, we studied copper-mediated LDL oxidation in 13 healthy elderly subjects (> 59 years) and 13 sex-matched healthy young controls (< 30 years). Total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were increased in elderly subjects. The time course of copper-mediated LDL oxidation showed no significant differences between the two groups as assessed by formation of conjugated dienes, lipid peroxides, and apolipoprotein B fluorescence. Kinetics of LDL oxidation as quantified by lag time, oxidation rate, and maximal oxidation were not significantly different between the elderly and young groups. Although the concentrations of 16:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:3, and 20:4 and total polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly higher in the elderly group, LDL fatty acid concentrations were similar in both groups. Lipid-standardized alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and ascorbate concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups. The findings of the present study suggest that in the healthy elderly, LDL oxidation may not be a crucial mediator for atherogenesis.
Schmuck
A
A
Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Fuller
C J
CJ
Devaraj
S
S
Jialal
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D003300:Copper