THE OXIDATION HYPOTHESIS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS - AN UPDATE

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with an increased risk of atheroscl erosis. The oxidation hypothesis suggests that oxidative modification of lipoprotein, and in particular low-density lipoprotein (LDL), incre ases its atherogenicity by altering receptor-mediated uptake by cells in the intima of blood vessels. Oxidized LDL is taken up by scavenger receptors on monocytes, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages in an unc ontrolled process leading to accumulation of lipid and the formation o f foam cells, an early feature of atherosclerotic plaque. Recent resea rch on the oxidation of LDL lipids, the effect of antioxidants, hypert ensives, and other agents, the interaction of LDL with extrinsic facto rs, as well as patient studies which bear on the oxidation hypothesis, are summarised in this review.