title: Increased levels of autoantibodies to cardiolipin and oxidised low density lipoprotein are inversely associated with plasma vitamin C status in cigarette smokers.
abstract: In this study we have measured circulating levels of autoantibodies to cardiolipin and oxidised low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and correlated these with plasma concentrations of the anti-oxidant nutrients vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene, in a group (79) of asymptomatic, male cigarette smokers and in non-smoking control subjects. Cigarette smoking, a well-known risk factor for development of atherosclerosis, was found to be associated with moderately elevated levels of autoantibodies to both cardiolipin and ox-LDL. Increased levels of these autoantibodies were most evident in the older smokers (> 30 years) and were significantly and inversely correlated with plasma vitamin C, but not with vitamin E or beta-carotene. Absorption studies designed to investigate the specificity of these autoantibodies demonstrated a high degree of cross-reactivity of cardiolipin antibodies with ox-LDL, while antibodies to the oxidatively modified lipoprotein tended to be specific for this antigen. These findings suggest that cigarette smoking promotes formation of autoantibodies to both cardiolipin and ox-LDL and that these may be involved in the initiation and/or perpetuation of atherosclerosis. Dietary intake of vitamin C may be a determinant of susceptibility to development of this cardiovascular disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fickl
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Van Antwerpen
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Van der Westhuyzen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Van der Walt
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Van der Merwe
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000097:blood*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003367:Cotinine / Q000652:urine; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D000975:Antioxidants; D001323:Autoantibodies; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002784:Cholesterol; D003367:Cotinine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid