Circulating oxidized LDL is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis development and inflammatory cytokines (AIR Study).
OBJECTIVE
Circulating oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) is associated with clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis. However, no previous study has examined the relationship between subclinical atherosclerosis and Ox-LDL. The aims of the present study were to investigate the relationship between clinically silent ultrasound-assessed atherosclerotic changes in the carotid and femoral arteries and Ox-LDL and to explore the relationship between Ox-LDL, C-reactive protein, and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.


RESULTS
The study group (n=391) consisted of clinically healthy, 58-year-old men recruited from the general population. Ox-LDL was measured by using a specific monoclonal antibody, mAb-4E6. The results showed that Ox-LDL was related to intima-media thickness and plaque occurrence in the carotid and femoral arteries. In addition, Ox-LDL was associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha and C-reactive protein. Circulating Ox-LDL was also associated with LDL cholesterol but not with blood pressure or smoking. When adjusting for other risk factors, both LDL cholesterol and Ox-LDL seemed to be independent predictors of plaque occurrence in the carotid and femoral arteries (odds ratios for quintile 5 versus quintile 1 were 2.17, P=0.049 and 2.25, P=0.050, for LDL cholesterol and Ox-LDL, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Ox-LDL was associated with both subclinical atherosclerosis and inflammatory variables, supporting the concept that oxidatively modified LDL may play a major role in atherosclerosis development, although no causality can be shown in this cross-sectional study.
Hulthe
Johannes
J
Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular Research, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. johannes.hulthe@wlab.wall.gu.se
Fagerberg
Björn
B
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013548:Sweden / Q000208:ethnology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D015850:Interleukin-6; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein