Plasma levels of citrate and lipid peroxides in men with coronary atherosclerosis

Citrate is related to lipid metabolism as an activator of acetyl CoA carbox ylase, which regulates fatty acid synthesis. Lipid peroxides have a major r ole in the initiation of atherosclerosis. In order to determine the relatio nship between plasma levels of citrate and lipid peroxides and lipid fracti ons, we measured levels of plasma citrate, lipid fractions and thiobarbitur ic acid reactive substances (TBARS) in controls and patients with coronary atherosclerosis. There was no significant difference between the plasma cit rate level of the control and patient groups. In the patient group plasma c holesterol, triglyceride, LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol and TEA RS levels were significantly higher, but HDL (high density lipoprotein) cho lesterol level was significantly lower, than in the control group. Our resu lts indicate that lipids and lipid peroxides may be markers of coronary ath erosclerosis while citrate may not. Med Sci Res 27:197-199 (C) 1999 Lippinc ott Williams & Wilkins.