Autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL-Abs) and the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Fifty RA patients without evidence of risk factors for atherosclerosis (RA group) and 30 healthy volunteers (normal group) were investigated. The mean intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (mean CCA-IMT) was measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. The titer of IgG oxLDL-Abs was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationships among mean CCA-IMT, IgG oxLDL-Ab titer and patient factors such as body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and serum lipid levels were examined.


RESULTS
Mean CCA-IMT, CRP, ESR and titer of IgG oxLDL-Abs were significantly higher in the RA group than in the normal group. Although mean CCA-IMT showed a positive correlation only with age in multivariate analysis, IgG oxLDL-Ab titers in the RA group were positively associated with mean CCA-IMT and independently with age and sex by multiple regression analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
IgG oxLDL-Abs appear to be associated with the degree of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with RA, and are independent of traditional risk factors for atherosclerotic diseases. These results suggest a possible link between autoimmune mechanisms and accelerated atherosclerosis in RA.
Wada
Y
Y
Division of Clinical Nephrology and Rheumatology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan. youko.wada@ryumachi-jp.com
Kuroda
T
T
Murasawa
A
A
Tanabe
N
N
Nakano
M
M
Gejyo
F
F
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography
D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein