Cardiovascular risk in systemic lupus erythematosus--evidence of increased oxidative stress and dyslipidaemia.
OBJECTIVE
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with severe and premature cardiovascular disease, which is not explained by traditional risk factors alone. This study aimed to investigate markers of oxidative stress, lipid metabolism and inflammation as potential cardiovascular risk factors in women with SLE.


METHODS
Venous blood samples were taken from 53 female Caucasian patients with SLE and from healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Samples were analysed for markers of oxidative stress, lipid metabolism [including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfraction profile] and C-reactive protein (CRP).


RESULTS
Female SLE patients had an atherogenic lipid profile characterized by raised total cholesterol and triglycerides, and the presence of small, dense LDL subfractions compared with healthy controls. These changes were associated with increased oxidative damage and a moderately raised CRP.


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide evidence for free radical and inflammatory activity in SLE and suggest potential targets to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in these patients.
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. s.nuttall@bham.ac.uk
S L
SL
Nuttall
S
S
Heaton
M K
MK
Piper
U
U
Martin
C
C
Gordon
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000209:etiology*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol