Clinical nutrition and metabolism group symposium on 'Nutrition and antioxidants' - Antioxidants and lipoprotein metabolism

Lipoprotein metabolism plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of athe rosclerosis and risk of vascular disease. Elevated levels of LDL and low le vels of HDL are linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is now wid ely accepted that oxidative modification of LDL affects the metabolism of l ipoproteins, leading to their increased accumulation in arterial intima. Th e present paper will examine some of the accumulating evidence from studies showing relationships between dietary intake of antioxidant nutrients, i.e . vitamins E and C, the carotenoids and the flavonoids, and their influence on lipoprotein metabolism. In particular, the present paper will review th e available literature on the affect of antioxidant supplementation on lipo protein oxidation, and hence metabolism of LDL in human subjects.