Serum antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein in pregnant women with preeclampsia and chronic hypertension: Lack of correlation with lipid peroxides

Objectives: To evaluate the circulating levels of antibodies to oxidized lo w-density lipoprotein (LDL) and their correlation with the lipid peroxide/v itamin E ratio in pregnant women with preeclampsia and chronic hypertension . Methods: Antibodies to oxidized LDL were measured by enzyme-linked immunoas say, lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde), and vitamin E were measured by high -pressure liquid chromatography. Patients were 25 healthy pregnant women, 2 0 previously nonhypertensive women diagnosed with preeclampsia, and 20 wome n with uncomplicated chronic hypertension. Results: Serum levels of antibodies to LDL in preeclamptic patients were si milar to controls, whereas women with chronic hypertension showed a trend f or increased mean levels. Lipid peroxides in serum were significantly incre ased and vitamin E levels were significantly decreased in preeclampsia with respect to nonhypertensive pregnancy, but no differences were observed for chronic hypertensive women. Conclusions: Our results suggest that preeclampsia is not accompanied by in creased levels of antibodies to oxidized LDL. By contrast, and according to previous studies in nonpregnant patients, chronic hypertensive patients sh owed a trend for elevated levels.