title: Mechanisms of LDL oxidation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many lines of evidence suggest that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular diseases. This review summarizes a diversity of mechanisms proposed for LDL oxidation serving for the so-called "LDL oxidation hypothesis of atherogenesis".
  
  
  RESULTS
  We investigated the literature and our research results related to mechanisms of LDL oxidation and its atherogenesis. LDL oxidation is catalyzed by transition metal ions and several free radicals, and LDL is also oxidized by some oxidizing enzymes. In this way, LDL can be converted to a form that is recognized specifically by and with high affinity to macrophage scavenger receptors, leading to foam cell formation, the defining characteristic of fatty streak lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several pathways are involved in the promotion of LDL oxidation in vitro and in vivo, but it would appear that the physiologically relevant mechanisms of LDL oxidation are still imperfectly understood. The underlying mechanisms of LDL oxidation must be further explored to reveal appropriate ways for the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis and its relevant diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital, Chiba, Japan. hyoshida@jikei.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kisugi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D008084:Lipoxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D008670:Metals; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009195:Peroxidase; D008084:Lipoxygenase