title: Concentrations of iron correlate with the extent of protein, but not lipid, oxidation in advanced human atherosclerotic lesions.
abstract: Previous studies have provided compelling evidence for the presence of oxidized proteins and lipids in advanced human atherosclerotic lesions. The catalyst responsible for such oxidation is unknown and controversial. We have previously provided evidence for elevated levels of iron in lesions. In this study we hypothesized that if iron ions catalyzed protein and lipid oxidation in the artery wall, then there should be a positive correlation between these parameters. Iron concentrations in ex vivo healthy human arteries and advanced carotid lesions were quantified by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Four specific side-chain oxidation products of proteins, and the lipid oxidation products 7-ketocholesterol and cholesterol ester alcohols and hydroperoxides, were quantified by HPLC in the same samples used for the iron measurements. Parent amino acids, cholesterol, and cholesterol esters were also quantified. Statistically elevated levels of iron, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, 7-ketocholesterol, and cholesterol ester alcohols and hydroperoxides were detected in advanced lesions compared with healthy control tissue. Iron levels correlated positively and strongly with all four markers of protein oxidation, but not with either marker of lipid oxidation. These data support the hypothesis that elevated levels of iron contribute to the extent of protein, but not lipid, oxidation in advanced human lesions.
authors.affiliation: The Heart Research Institute, 145 Missenden Road, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.forename: Nadina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stadler
authors.forename: Alan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bannon
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000032:analysis; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; D007501:Iron