title: Non-linear Optical Responses of Low-Density Lipoprotein are Associated with Intima-Media Thickness of Carotid Artery in Athletes.
abstract: We investigated the association between the degree of oxidative modification of LDL particles by non-linear optical response of LDL (Z-scan technique) and the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in different segments of the carotid artery. We recruited high-intensity athlete runners (n = 44) and controls (n = 51) to participate in the study. The carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), interleukin 10 (IL-10), TNF-alpha, and the non-linear optical responses of LDL particle (Z-scan) were assessed. In athletes, the mean cIMT differed between genders, with higher values observed in female athletes compared to male athletes (P < 0.05). Higher mean values for cIMT were seen in the right carotid arteries of female athletes as compared to female controls (P < 0.05). Higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10 were found in athletes (P < 0.05). Yet, ΔΓpv (transmittance curve) of Z-scan in athletes was higher than in the non-athletes, indicating less oxidation in LDL particles of athletes (P < 0.05). There was an inverse association between the ΔΓpv and cIMT in the right internal carotid segments (β = -0.163, P < 0.05) in all subjects, and between the VO2max and the mean cIMT (β = -0.003, P < 0.05) in male subjects. The present study shows that the Z-scan technique enabled to detect less oxidative modifications in LDL particles from athletes. This effect was associated with cIMT in a gender-dependent mode.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Rua Loefgren, 1350, 04040-001, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique Andrade R
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Rua Loefgren, 1350, 04040-001, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Célia R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Bittencourt
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Rua Loefgren, 1350, 04040-001, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francisco A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andrea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Priscila R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Rua Loefgren, 1350, 04040-001, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Camargo
authors.affiliation: Diagnósticos da América, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz A R
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Diagnósticos da América, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murad
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Science IV, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gidlund
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Figueiredo-Neto
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Rua Loefgren, 1350, 04040-001, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. mcoizar@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina O
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Izar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL
keywords: Athletes; Oxidized low-density lipoprotein; Subclinical atherosclerosis; Z-scan