Physiological aspects of low-density lipoprotein oxidation

The oxidation of LDL is thought to be a major contributor to the developmen t of atherosclerosis, Considerable descriptive evidence has been accumulate d showing that oxidized LDL promotes pro-atherogenic events. However, direc t evidence that oxidized LDL causes atherosclerosis is lacking. This articl e summarizes the results of recent studies that demonstrate how oxidized LD L affects cellular function, and highlights key issues that should be addre ssed to link LDL oxidation with atherosclerosis. Curr Opin Lipidol 11:297-3 01. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.