title: Oxidized low-density lipoproteins, autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoproteins and carotid intima media thickness in a clinically healthy population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) play an important role in the progress of atherosclerosis. Autoantibodies (oxLDL Ab) against oxLDLs may reflect the extent of LDL oxidation in vivo. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between oxLDLs, oxLDL Ab and intima media thickness of the common carotid arteries (CCA-IMT) in a clinically healthy population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred subjects were recruited, and demographic and clinical characteristics of the subjects were recorded. By use of tertile classification of plasma oxLDLs and oxLDL Ab, 9 groups including 4 extreme subject groups were generated. CCA-IMT was measured as an indicator of carotid atherosclerosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age and plasma LDL concentration contributed significantly to CCA-IMT (p < 0.05). Body mass index, smoking index and plasma LDL concentration were significantly positively related to the plasma oxLDLs concentration; by contrast, plasma oxLDL Ab were significantly negatively related to the plasma oxLDL concentration (p < 0.05). Subjects in the group with low oxLDL Ab/high oxLDLs had the greatest CCA-IMT and the highest level of LDL; by contrast, subjects in the group with high oxLDL Ab/low oxLDLs had the least CCA-IMT and the lowest level of LDL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both plasma oxLDLs and oxLDL Ab contribute, although in opposite ways, to the LDL metabolism and development of atherosclerosis. Immune response to oxLDLs may exert a protective role at an early stage of atherosclerosis.
authors: Institute of Nutritional Science, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Haw-Wen
authors: HW
authors: Chen
authors: Ching-Ling
authors: CL
authors: Kuo
authors: Ching-Shan
authors: CS
authors: Huang
authors: Shou-Jen
authors: SJ
authors: Kuo
authors: Chin-San
authors: CS
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000033:anatomy & histology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D002784:Cholesterol