LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS - QUANTITY OR QUALITY

Citation
Fj. Raal et al., LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS - QUANTITY OR QUALITY, Redox report, 1(3), 1995, pp. 171-176
Citations number
48
Categorie Soggetti
Biology
Journal title
ISSN journal
13510002
Volume
1
Issue
3
Year of publication
1995
Pages
171 - 176
Database
ISI
SICI code
1351-0002(1995)1:3<171:LLAA-Q>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
Oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) appears to be important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Inhibiting the oxida tion of LDL may retard or prevent the atherogenic process. However, su sceptibility of LDL to oxidation in vitro and its atherogenicity in vi vo may not always correlate. Subjects with familial hypercholesterolae mia (FH) develop severe, premature atherosclerosis despite having larg e, bouyant LDL particles which are less susceptible to oxidation. High dose, long-term vitamin E increases the resistance of LDL to oxidatio n but, unlike probucol, has no effect on xanthoma regression in homozy gous FH, In FH, the quantity of LDL takes priority and the main aim of therapy is reduction of LDL bulk. Individuals with small, dense LDL p articles are at increased risk for atherosclerosis despite desirable p lasma LDL cholesterol levels. Small, dense LDL particles are more susc eptible to oxidation and in these subjects antioxidant therapy may be of greater benefit, In subjects with atherosclerosis, current manageme nt should be aimed primarily at reducing the LDL cholesterol level. In the future antioxidant therapy may complement our management of hyper cholesterolaemia.