A POSSIBLE ROLE FOR 15-LIPOXYGENASE IN ATHEROGENESIS

It is well accepted that high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the plasma ave associated with increased risk of athero sclerosis. The cellular and molecular mechanisms linking the two howev er have not been fully resolved. One of the processes involved in athe rogenesis that has been intensively studied in this regard is the oxid ation of LDL. Oxidation may convert LDL into an atherogenic form, whic h incites an inflammatory and proliferative response characteristic of the atherosclerotic lesion. One of the potential mediators in this pr ocess is the lipid peroxidating enzyme 15-lipoxygenase, which has been shown to be induced in the atherosclerotic lesion and is capable of o xidizing LDL. In this article, we review the motivation for looking at mechanisms of LDL oxidation and the proposed involvement of 15-lipoxy genase in the pathogenesis of the disease.