Ethnic variation in levels of circulating IgG autoantibodies to oxidised low-density lipoprotein.
BACKGROUND
Oxidised low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) plays a key role in atherosclerosis. Our aim was to determine whether serum autoantibodies against Ox-LDL (Ab Ox-LDL) differ by ethnic group.


METHODS
Soluble serum Ab Ox-LDL levels were measured in 250 white (113 females), 169 African origin (91 females) and 196 South Asian (92 females) individuals from the Wandsworth Heart and Stroke Study (WHSS) population. All were free from coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, other cardiovascular disease, diabetes, drug therapy for hypertension or high lipids, hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptive pill.


RESULTS
There were no sex differences in levels of Ab Ox-LDL, but levels were higher in non-smokers (430U/L [95% CI 471-596]) than in smokers (384U/L [316-468]) (p<0.009). Age- and sex-adjusted levels of Ab Ox-LDL were higher in people of African origin and South Asians compared to whites. This difference was maintained in South Asian women following adjustment for multiple risk factors (82% [21-175]; p=0.004). Ab Ox-LDL levels were negatively associated with serum triglycerides and positively associated with sVCAM-1.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher IgG Ab to Ox-LDL are associated with higher levels of sVCAM-1 and, are elevated in female South Asian individuals who have an increased risk of atherosclerosis compared to whites.
Miller
Michelle A
MA
Warwick University, Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Clinical Sciences Building, UHCW Campus, Warwick Medical School, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry, CV2 2DX, United Kingdom. Michelle.Miller@warwick.ac.uk
Strazzullo
Pasquale
P
Karanam
Sharada
S
Cappuccio
Francesco P
FP
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry*; D044383:Black People; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000208:ethnology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking; D044465:White People
D001323:Autoantibodies; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein