IS PARAOXONASE RELATED TO ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Human serum paraoxonase is responsible for the hydrolysis of organopho sphate anticholinesterases, however, whether the enzyme has a physisol ogical role other than the detoxication of insecticides and nerve gase s has remained uncertain. Recently, evidence has begun to accumulate o f a relationship between the serum activity of paraoxonase and atheros clerosis. Paraoxonase may a fundamental role in lipoprotein metabolism , preventing oxidative changes to low-density lipoprotein which render the particle atherogenic.