Plasma Lipid Composition and LDL Oxidation
-
Patrizia Brizzi
Abstract
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in vivo depends on lipid composition and on plasma antioxidant status. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between plasma lipid composition and LDL oxidation and, in particular, to explore whether LDL-cholesterol/triglycerides ratio (LDL-C/TG) and LDL-cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol ratio (LDL-C/HDL-C) can be used as predictive parameters of LDL oxidation in vivo.
In 87 volunteers over a wide range of age plasma lipids and LDL oxidation were studied. Blood was collected after 12 h overnight fast. LDL oxidation was estimated by the level of conjugated diene (BDC) in the lipid fraction isolated from plasma after gradient ultracentrifugation. The results were expressed as μmol/l (BDC/l) to evaluate the level of oxidized LDL, and as nmol of BDC for mg of LDL-cholesterol (BDC/LDL-C) for the evaluation of LDL oxidation degree.
BDC/l correlated significantly with age, total and LDL-C, apolipoprotein B and TG, while BDC/LDL-C negatively correlated with total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, LDL/TG and LDL/HDL ratios. Age of subjects significantly correlated with total and LDL-C and apolipoprotein B. TG have a significant inverse correlation with HDL-C.
Our results support the hypothesis that among the several factors involved in LDL oxidation the most important determinants are LDL/TG. Plasma triglycerides appear to be very important even when circulating cholesterol levels are within normal limits. Moreover, we found that the LDL/HDL ratio is also very important with regard to the putative protective role of HDL against LDL oxidation in vivo.
In conclusion, plasma lipid parameters must be evaluated not only for their absolute values but also for their mutual ratios as expression of plasma lipid homeostasis. Both LDL/TG and LDL/HDL ratios can be used as predictive parameters of in vivo LDL oxidation.
Copyright © 2003 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG
Articles in the same Issue
- Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine: Addressing Bias, Generalisability and Applicability in Studies on Diagnostic Accuracy. The STARD Initiative
- Semen Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil Leukocyte Elastase as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker of Genital Tract Inflammation – A Review
- Total Oxyradical Scavenging Capacity toward Different Reactive Oxygen Species in Seminal Plasma and Sperm Cells
- Identification of New Polymorphisms in the CACNA1S Gene
- 3-Nitrotyrosine in Atherosclerotic Blood Vessels
- Molecular Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis: Comparison of Four Analytical Procedures
- Assessment of Intestinal Permeability: Enzymatic Determination of Urinary Mannitol, Raffinose, Sucrose and Lactose on Hitachi Analyzer
- Effects of Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide and Sodium Citrate Bicarbonate Health Supplements on the Urinary Risk Factors for Kidney Stone Formation
- Glycerol Metabolism and the Determination of Triglycerides –Clinical, Biochemical and Molecular Findings in Six Subjects
- Plasma Lipid Composition and LDL Oxidation
- Modified Method to Measure Nasal Potential Difference
- Towards Complete and Accurate Reporting of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy: The STARD Initiative
- Novel and Traditional Biomarkers of Bone Turnover in Postmenopausal Women
- Urinary Plasma Protein Patterns in Acute Prostatitis
- Adequate Sampling in Cryoglobulinaemia: Recommended Warmly
- A New Modification of the Chiron ACS Assay for Total Prostate-Specific Antigen Achieves Equimolar Response Characteristics and Improves the Detection of Prostate Cancer
- Technical Performance and Diagnostic Utility of the New Elecsys® Neuron-Specific Enolase Enzyme Immunoassay
- Measurements of Complement Factor H-Related Protein (BTA-TRAK™ Assay) and Nuclear Matrix Protein (NMP22 Assay) – Useful Diagnostic Tools in the Diagnosis of Urinary Bladder Cancer?
- Erratum: The 18th International Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Special Supplement Abstracts Issue 2002
- Meetings and Awards
Articles in the same Issue
- Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine: Addressing Bias, Generalisability and Applicability in Studies on Diagnostic Accuracy. The STARD Initiative
- Semen Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil Leukocyte Elastase as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker of Genital Tract Inflammation – A Review
- Total Oxyradical Scavenging Capacity toward Different Reactive Oxygen Species in Seminal Plasma and Sperm Cells
- Identification of New Polymorphisms in the CACNA1S Gene
- 3-Nitrotyrosine in Atherosclerotic Blood Vessels
- Molecular Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis: Comparison of Four Analytical Procedures
- Assessment of Intestinal Permeability: Enzymatic Determination of Urinary Mannitol, Raffinose, Sucrose and Lactose on Hitachi Analyzer
- Effects of Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Oxide and Sodium Citrate Bicarbonate Health Supplements on the Urinary Risk Factors for Kidney Stone Formation
- Glycerol Metabolism and the Determination of Triglycerides –Clinical, Biochemical and Molecular Findings in Six Subjects
- Plasma Lipid Composition and LDL Oxidation
- Modified Method to Measure Nasal Potential Difference
- Towards Complete and Accurate Reporting of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy: The STARD Initiative
- Novel and Traditional Biomarkers of Bone Turnover in Postmenopausal Women
- Urinary Plasma Protein Patterns in Acute Prostatitis
- Adequate Sampling in Cryoglobulinaemia: Recommended Warmly
- A New Modification of the Chiron ACS Assay for Total Prostate-Specific Antigen Achieves Equimolar Response Characteristics and Improves the Detection of Prostate Cancer
- Technical Performance and Diagnostic Utility of the New Elecsys® Neuron-Specific Enolase Enzyme Immunoassay
- Measurements of Complement Factor H-Related Protein (BTA-TRAK™ Assay) and Nuclear Matrix Protein (NMP22 Assay) – Useful Diagnostic Tools in the Diagnosis of Urinary Bladder Cancer?
- Erratum: The 18th International Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. Special Supplement Abstracts Issue 2002
- Meetings and Awards