title: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol determines oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in saphenous veins from patients with coronary artery disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is evidence for a relationship between endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, but a causative role for oxidative stress remains to be determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied 188 patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD), of whom 51 were age and sex matched with 51 healthy controls undergoing varicose vein surgery. Relaxation of saphenous vein to calcium ionophore, apocynin, and allopurinol was studied together with the markers of oxidative stress, total antioxidant capacity and reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio. Vascular superoxide levels were measured using lucigenin chemiluminescence and hydroethidine. Relaxation to calcium ionophore was decreased in CAD compared with control patients (maximum relaxation 26+/-2% versus 60+/-1%; P<0.001). Total superoxide production was increased (0.89+/-0.09 versus 0.56+/-0.06 nmol/mg per min; P=0.008), whereas superoxide inhibition with apocynin or allopurinol had a greater effect on vasorelaxation in CAD patients. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol predicted relaxation to calcium ionophore (P<0.001) and oxidative stress markers (P<0.001) in CAD patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endothelial dysfunction is associated with raised levels of superoxide and biomarkers of oxidative stress in saphenous veins from CAD patients. LDL cholesterol is a major determinant of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in these patients. These results support intensive LDL cholesterol-lowering therapy as suggested by recent clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Division of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sammy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Benna
authors.forename: Carlene A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: McClure
authors.forename: Paul N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Geoffrey A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delles
authors.forename: Anna F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Dominiczak
mesh_terms: D000098:Acetophenones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000493:Allopurinol / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D015415:Biomarkers; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000098:Acetophenones; D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D007476:Ionophores; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D013481:Superoxides; D009599:Nitroprusside; D010656:Phenylephrine; D000493:Allopurinol; C056165:acetovanillone