Large-artery elastic properties in young men - Relationships to serum lipoproteins and oxidized low-density lipoproteins

Measures of arterial elasticity have been proposed as surrogate markers for asymptomatic atherosclerosis, We investigated the relations of serum lipop roteins, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), and familial hyperchole sterolemia (FH) to arterial elasticity among young men. As a marker of arte rial elasticity we measured compliance in the thoracic aorta by using magne tic resonance imaging and in the common carotid artery by using ultrasound. LDL diene conjugation was used as a marker of ox-LDL. In study I, 25 healt hy men (aged 29 to 39) were classified into 2 extreme groups according to p reviously measured high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to total cholestero l ratio (HDL-C/TC ratio). In study II, the healthy men were used as control s for 10 age matched asymptomatic patients with FH. In healthy men, the gro up with low HDL-C/TC ratio had decreased carotid artery compliance (2.3 +/- 0.4% versus 1.9 +/- 0.5%/ 10 nlm Hg, P = 0.034). In univariate analysis, t he compliance of the carotid artery associated with ox-LDL (r = -0.49, P = 0.016) and HDL-C/TC ratio (r = 0.41, P = 0.040), In multivariate regression analyses, ox-LDL was the only independent determinant for compliance of th e carotid artery (P = 0.016). Aortic elasticity was not related to standard lipid variables, but the compliance of the ascending aorta associated with ox-LDL (r = -0.44, P = 0.030). In FH patients, arterial elasticity was sim ilar to that in controls. We conclude that elasticity of the common carotid artery is affected by serum lipid profile in young men. The current study demonstrates for the first time an in vivo association between ox-LDL and a rterial elasticity suggesting that oxidative modification of LDL may play a role in the alteration of arterial wall elastic properties.