LDL SIALIC-ACID CONTENT IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are considered to be the most atherogen ic of lipoproteins. These LDL can be modified and oxidative modificati ons are now well known. In addition, other atherogenic modifications o f LDL exist, such as desialylation. In the present study sialic acid c ontent was determined in LDL preparations obtained from patients with coronary artery disease (CAD+) and compared with that of healthy subje cts and patients without coronary heart disease (CAD-). The sialic aci d concentration was found to be statistically lower (P < 0.05) in the LDL of CAD+ patients (11.6 +/- 2.7 mu g/mg of protein) than in the LDL of controls (16.5 +/- 5.6 mu g/mg of protein) or in the LDL of CAD- p atients (15.3 +/- 3.8 mu g/mg of protein). In subgroups of CAD+ patien ts divided according to the severity of the disease, no statistically significant difference was observed in LDL sialic acid content. This w ork confirms the presence of desialylated LDL in the sera of patients with atheroma.