LDL apheresis decreases plasma levels and urinary excretion of 8-epi-PGF(2alpha)

Isoprostanes (IP) generated during free radical catalyzed oxidation injury have been claimed as a reliable indicator of oxidative stress in vivo. In p articular, they are formed during LDL-oxidation. Vascular content, plasma l evels and urinary excretion of IP were reported to be elevated in hyperchol esterolemia. We therefore assessed the values of the IP 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) in plasma and urine in nine patients (7 males, 2 females) suffering from se vere heterozygous hypercholesterolemia before and after LDL-apheresis as we ll as during the interval. LDL-apheresis caused a significant (P<0.01) drop in 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) in plasma and urine. The respective values in smoker s (n = 4) were significantly (P<0.01) higher as compared to non-smokers. No sex difference was seen. Together with the findings of a parallel decrease in oxidized LDL, these data show a significant benefit of LDL-apheresis re ducing in vivo oxidation injury. This benefit may at least partly contribut e to the clinical improvement seen in the patients treated. (C) 2000 Harcou rt Publishers Ltd.