title: Contribution of dietary intakes of antioxidants to homocysteine-induced low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in atherosclerotic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Elevated circulating oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) levels are associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis, which may be due to high plasma homocysteine (Hcy) and low intakes of antioxidants. We investigated the contribution of dietary intakes of antioxidants to Hcy-induced LDL oxidation in atherosclerotic patients (AP) and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male AP (n = 101) who were confirmed by coronary angiography and 91 controls were evaluated by blood biochemistry and dietary intakes. To determine whether homocysteine is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, subjects were divided into three groups; low- (<or= 6.9 uM/L), normal- (7 uM-12 uM/L) and high- (>or= 12.1 uM/L) Hcy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma levels of homocysteine and LDL were higher, but plasma apo A-I in HDL and folate were lower in the AP group. The odds ratio (OR) for the risk of atherosclerosis was 3.002 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.27-7.09] for patients in the highest tertile with homocysteine >or= 12.1 uM/L. AP having high homocysteine levels had low intakes of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C. By logistic regression analysis, age, body mass index (BMI), plasma LDL, plasma folate, and low intakes of vitamin A and beta-carotene were found to be risk factors for atherosclerosis in patients with high-Hcy, but dietary B vitamins including folate were not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high-Hcy level was a risk factor for atherosclerosis in patients with high Ox-LDL levels. High intakes of antioxidants appeared to be a protective factor for atherosclerosis, perhaps exerting a pro-oxidative effect on LDL when combined with high levels of Hcy and LDL. However, more evidence for the benefits of B vitamins as a homocysteine-lowering therapy is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hongseog
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Hyunhee
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Hyesoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Miyoung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Yangsoo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Myoungsook
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000150:complications; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012307:Risk Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D008055:Lipids; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D006710:Homocysteine; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12