Anti-oxidized LDL antibodies and wine consumption: a population-based epidemiological study in Dicomano, Italy.
OBJECTIVE
In previous studies, higher levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) have been reported to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, the anti-oxidative properties of red wine have been invoked to explain the paradox of low cardiovascular mortality, in spite of high-fat intake, in the French population. However, the distribution of ox-LDL-antibodies (ox-LDL-Ab) in the unselected population and its relationship with red wine consumption are unknown. This study was carried out to identify factors associated with ox-LDL-Ab, with particular emphasis on the association with wine consumption.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study of 551 unselected, community-dwelling older adults (aged 65 to 94 years) living in Dicomano (Italy). Ox-LDL-Ab titre was measured with an ELISA method.


RESULTS
In the whole study sample, ox-LDL-Ab increased with age and was unrelated to blood lipids, HbA(1c), and smoking habit. A significant inverse relationship was found between ox-LDL-Ab titre and daily wine intake, which persisted after adjusting for possible confounders or in subgroup analyses of participants who reported to drink wine or were free from significant morbidity.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that wine affects ox-LDL-Ab titre in older populations, possibly because of its antioxidant properties.
Di Bari
Mauro
M
Department of Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, Section of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Florence and Azienda Ospedaliera Careggi, Florence, Italy. mdibari@wfubmc.edu
Zacchei
Simona
S
Kritchevsky
Stephen B
SB
Anichini
Mario
M
Cesaretti
Simonetta
S
Chiarlone
Melisenda
M
Masotti
Giulio
G
Marchionni
Niccolò
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D014920:Wine
D000906:Antibodies; D000975:Antioxidants; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein