[Immunohistochemical detection of altered low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in the vessel walls of patients with giant cell arteritis].
OBJECTIVE
Recent data indicate that lipid peroxidation is implicated in the pathogenesis of giant cell arteritis with a close anatomic relationship between reactive oxygen species and oxidatively injured vascular tissue.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry utilizing anti-ox-LDL was performed on paraffin sections of isolated temporal arteries obtained from patients (n=23) suspected of having temporal arteritis. Enrichment as well as staining intensity of ox-LDL in vascular tissue was analysed by digital image planimetry.


RESULTS
Temporal arteries with biopsy proven temporal arteritis (n=11) presented with significantly higher enrichment of ox-LDL in the intima (16.9+/-4.2% vs. 11.25+/-2.3%; p<0.01) and mean (9.6+/-2.4% vs. 6.75+/-1.8%; p<0.01) as compared to healthy controls. Comparable results for the staining intensity were found in the intimal (2.8+/-0.5 eU vs. 1.7+/-0.4 eU; p<0.01) and medial layer (1.55+/-0.5 eU vs. 1.04+/-0.6 eU; p<0.01) of diseased patients compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Accumulation of ox-LDL in the intimal layer, especially at the intima-media-border, was closely related to disruption of the elastica interna and adjacent vascular tissue, presumably contributing to the underlying process of intimal hyperplasia through unimpeded migration of smooth muscle and accumulation inflammatory cells.
Beutelspacher
S C
SC
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Universität Heidelberg. beutelspacher@web.de
Serbecic
N
N
Tamaddon
F
F
Mehrabi
M
M
Völcker
H E
HE
D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013699:Temporal Arteries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein