Bioactive products of phospholipid oxidation: Isolation, identification, measurement and activities

There is considerable evidence to suggest that oxidation of LDL plays an im portant role in atherogenesis. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, a major oxidati ve target, are present as phospholipids in the outer core of the lipoprotei n particle. Studies from several laboratories have shown an increase in the levels of phospholipid oxidation products in atherosclerotic Lesions and o f antibodies to oxidized phospholipids in mice and humans with lesions. Sig nificantly, phospholipid oxidation products have been demonstrated (in vitr o) to selectively activate processes in Vascular wall cells that may contri bute to atherogenesis. This review discusses activities, methods for isolat ion, identification and measurement of bioactive phospholipids. Past studie s suggest that defined and relatively simple current technologies allow ide ntification of bioactive phospholipid oxidation products and measurement of their levels in tissue. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.