Oxidized LDL and thickness of carotid intima-media are associated with coronary atherosclerosis in middle-aged men: lower levels of oxidized LDL withstatin therapy

We investigated the relation between serum lipids including oxidized LDL an d the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Serum lipids and oxidized LDL w as measured in 62 men (33-66 years), who underwent diagnostic coronary angi ography and sonography to measure the carotid intima-media thickness. LDL o xidation was found in chemical analyses to be due to conjugated fatty acids in cholesteryl esters and triglycerides. Regression analysis indicated tha t the carotid intima-media thickness and the ratio of LDL diene conjugation to LDL cholesterol (the ox-LDL:LDL ratio) were the only factors associated independently with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, The patients with multi-vessel disease who did not use lipid lowering therapy had a 50% thicker carotid intima media (P = 0.030) and a 41% higher ox-LDL:LDL ratio (P = 0.020) than patients with normal vessels. Further. patients with multi -vessel disease on statin therapy had a 24% lower ox-LDL:LDL ratio than the subjects with multi-vessel disease who did not use lipid lowering drugs (P = 0.027). although the concentration of LDL cholesterol did not differ bet ween the groups. This study supports the hypothesis that lipid oxidation pl ays a role in the development of atherosclerosis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.