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Atherosclerosis and Lipoproteins |
From the Department of Medicine (M.-L.L., K.Y., M.-R.T.), Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland; Research Institute of Public Health (R.S., J.T.S.), University of Kuopio, Finland; and Inner Savo Health Centre (J.T.S.), Suonenjoki, Finland.
Correspondence to Prof Marja-Riitta Taskinen, Department of Medicine, C423b, PL 700, Biomedicum Helsinki, Haartmanninkatu 8, HUS-00029, Helsinki, Finland. E-mail Marja-Riitta.Taskinen{at}helsinki.fi
| Abstract |
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Methods and Results Ox-LDL, susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in vitro, plasma 8-isoprostane and antioxidants, lipids and lipoproteins, LDL particle size, and carotid IMT were measured in 150 asymptomatic FCHL family members. Affected FCHL family members had reduced LDL particle size and lag time for LDL oxidation, increased plasma levels of Ox-LDL, increased plasma urate and
-tocopherol, and a trend for the increase of 8-isoprostane as compared with nonaffected FCHL. Ox-LDL was independently associated with serum LDL cholesterol, apoB, and 8-isoprostane in multivariate analysis but only univariately correlated with LDL particle size and lag time for LDL oxidation. In addition, Ox-LDL was significantly associated with carotid mean IMT independently of other clinical and biochemical variables in a multivariate model.
Conclusion Serum LDL cholesterol, apoB levels, and 8-isoprostane were the most important determinants of Ox-LDL. Ox-LDL is independently associated with carotid IMT in asymptomatic FCHL family members and can be used as a marker of early atherosclerosis in FCHL.
Ox-LDL, susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in vitro, plasma 8-isoprostane, and antioxidants, lipids and lipoproteins, LDL particle size, and carotid IMT were measured to investigate the determinants of Ox-LDL and its association with carotid IMT in 150 asymptomatic FCHL family members. Serum LDL cholesterol, apoB, and 8-isoprostane levels were the most important determinants of Ox-LDL. Ox-LDL is independently associated with carotid IMT in asymptomatic FCHL family members and can be used as a marker of early atherosclerosis in FCHL.
Key Words: carotid arteries hyperlipoproteinemia familial combined lipoproteins low-denisty lipoprotein oxygen radical ultrasonography
| Introduction |
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Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is characterized with elevated levels of plasma cholesterol and/or triglyceride. FCHL associates with early atherosclerosis and is responsible for >10% of premature CAD.14,15 Experimental studies have observed the enhanced generation of free radicals in leukocytes from hypercholesterolemic and hypertriglyceridemic patients.16,17 Previous studies also reported the increased formation of isoprostanes, markers of in vivo oxidative stress, in hyperlipidemic patients.18,19 Interestingly, our data have shown an adaptive increase of circulating antioxidants with increased oxidative stress in asymptomatic FCHL patients.20 In addition, LDL from FCHL patients is characterized by a predominance of small dense LDL21 and an increased susceptibility to oxidative modification.20All these factors may influence the metabolism of circulating Ox-LDL in FCHL.
Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), measured noninvasively by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography, has been associated with the risk of CAD, stroke, and myocardial infarction, and it predicts the progression of CAD.22 The present study was conducted to investigate the determinants of plasma Ox-LDL and the association between Ox-LDL and carotid IMT in asymptomatic FCHL family members.
| Methods |
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90th Finnish population percentiles. The TC and TG percentiles used in the present study were derived from the results of the surveys based on the Finnish population.24,25 Families with
2 affected family members presenting different lipid phenotypes were classified as FCHL. Family members who had diabetes or history of CAD or stroke and those with lipid medication were excluded. As described previously,26 altogether 150 FCHL (75 affected and 75 nonaffected defined according to the aforementioned lipid criteria) family members from 38 well-defined Finnish FCHL families participated in the present study. Venous blood samples were collected after overnight fasting for the biochemical measurements. EDTA plasma was separated by centrifugation and stored at 80°C until analyzed. Pulse pressure was calculated as the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Pack-years were calculated by multiplying duration of smoking by the number of cigarettes smoked per day divided by 20.
Measurement of Plasma Ox-LDL and LDL Oxidation In Vitro
Plasma levels of Ox-LDL were measured by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a specific murine monoclonal antibody 4E6 (mAb-4E6)6 (Mercodia, Uppsala, Sweden). The coefficient of variation for the assay was 7.4% to 8.3%. The mAb-4E6 is directed against a conformational epitope in the apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) moiety of LDL that is generated as a consequence of substitution of at least 60 lysine residues of apoB-100 with aldehydes. This number of substituted lysines corresponds to the minimal number of substituted lysines required for scavenger-mediated uptake of oxLDL. Substituting aldehydes can be produced by peroxidation of lipids of LDL.6 LDL for the in vitro oxidation measurement was isolated by a short-run ultracentrifugation.27 EDTA was removed from LDL using size exclusion chromatography (PD-25 column) just before LDL oxidation in vitro. Altogether 100 µg LDL protein/mL was incubated with 5 µmol/L CuSO4 in a total volume of 2 mL at 27°C in a temperature-controlled spectrophotometer.26,27
Other Biochemical Measurements
Plasma 8-isoprostane levels were measured using an EIA kit (516351; Cayman, Ann Arbor, Mich). Plasma vitamin C, protein-bound thiol groups, urate,
-tocopherol, ß-carotene, and retinol were measured as described.27 LDL particle size was determined using gradient gel electrophoresis.21,26 All lipid and lipoprotein measurements were performed as described previously.23 Briefly, serum TC and TG concentrations were determined enzymatically, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by precipitation procedures, and serum apolipoprotein B (apoB) concentration by an immunoturbidimetric assay. LDL was separated by sequential flotation as described.28
Ultrasound Examinations
Carotid IMT was determined as described previously.26 Briefly, longitudinal images from 3 projections (anterolateral, lateral, and posterolateral) were measured by Hewlett-Packard Image Point M2410A ultrasound system for the common carotid artery, carotid bulb, and internal carotid artery. Measurements were performed at a total of 28 sites, both the far wall and the near wall of the arterial segments, right and left distal 1 cm of common carotid artery, carotid bulb, and proximal 1 cm of and internal carotid artery. All 3 projections in common carotid artery and carotid bulb, and a single angle in and internal carotid artery with the best visibility were used. The mean, maximum, and minimum IMT were derived from each measurement. The average of all mean IMT measurements over 28 (or fewer) sites was chosen as the outcome variable. The coefficient of variation for mean IMT measurements was 2.4%. Carotid IMT examination was performed at the same visit as blood sampling or within a difference of few weeks.
Statistical Analysis
Values are given as means±SE. Variables with nonnormal distribution were log10-transformed. Differences in means between affected and nonaffected family members or among the different Ox-LDL tertile groups were tested by 2-way ANOVA (Figure A). The frequency distribution of the categorical variables between 2 groups was compared by the
2 test. Univariate association was tested by Pearson correlation analysis. The predictors for the subsequent multivariate analysis were selected on the basis of the correlation analysis (P<0.20). Backward multivariate analyses were performed to assess the predictors of Ox-LDL and carotid mean IMT. Both in the ANOVA and the backward multivariate analyses, family number (which indicates belonging to a certain family) was used to correct for the dependence of the study subjects.
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| Results |
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-tocopherol and urate were significantly increased in affected FCHL compared with those in nonaffected family members as reported in our previous study.26 Other plasma antioxidants (vitamin C, thiol groups, ß-carotene, retinol) were comparable between the 2 groups (data not shown).26 As reported previously, we did not see significant difference in carotid mean IMT between affected and nonaffected family members.26
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Associations Between Ox-LDL, Related Variables, and Carotid Mean IMT
In the univariate correlation analysis, Ox-LDL was significantly correlated with age, gender, body mass index, smoking pack-years, log TG, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apoB, LDL particle size, lag time for LDL oxidation, plasma urate,
-tocopherol, and retinol, but not with 8-isoprostane, vitamin C, thiol groups, and ß-carotene. Interestingly, plasma Ox-LDL and 8-isoprostane were correlated in affected family members (r=0.349, P=0.002). In the multivariate analysis, LDL-C, apoB, and 8-isoprostane were associated with plasma Ox-LDL independently of other variables (Table 2).
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When FCHL family members were divided by tertiles of Ox-LDL (50 subjects in each tertile group), the carotid mean IMT increased over tertiles of Ox-LDL (Figure A). Carotid mean IMT in highest Ox-LDL tertile group was significantly thicker than that in lowest Ox-LDL tertile (0.78±0.02 versus 0.69±0.02 mm, P=0.003). In addition, there were more affected subjects in the highest Ox-LDL tertile group (40/50) than in the middle (23/50) and in the lowest (12/50) Ox-LDL tertile groups (P<0.001, ANOVA; Figure A). Plasma Ox-LDL correlated with carotid mean IMT in affected and nonaffected family members as well as in the combined group including all family members (Figure B).
Carotid mean IMT correlated significantly with age, body mass index, smoking pack-years, pulse pressure, logTG, LDL cholesterol, apoB, LDL size, lag time for LDL oxidation, plasma urate, and
-tocopherol, as well as Ox-LDL. However, we did not observe any correlation between 8-isoprostane and mean IMT in univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only age (ß=0.745, P<0.001), pulse pressure (ß=0.158, P=0.004), LDL size (ß=0.169, P=0.022), and Ox-LDL (ß=0.178, P=0.038) were independent predictors for the variation of carotid mean IMT. The association between Ox-LDL and mean IMT persisted even after adjustment for logTG, LDL cholesterol, and apoB. These results demonstrate that Ox-LDL is associated with mean IMT in FCHL family members independently of clinical and lipid variables.
| Discussion |
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Circulating Ox-LDL, 8-Isoprostane, and Antioxidants
There is increased oxidative stress in dyslipidemia.1619 In this study, the plasma Ox-LDL was significantly higher in affected FCHL family members as compared with nonaffected subjects. Likewise, there was a trend for an increase of the plasma 8-isoprostane in affected FCHL family members. The present data confirmed our previous results20 showing an adaptive increase of plasma antioxidants (
-tocopherol and urate) in the presence of the increased oxidative stress in FCHL. Recent data suggested that supplementation of
-tocopherol cannot prevent lipoprotein oxidation in the vessel wall with the increased levels of
-tocopherol in the circulation and in the arterial wall.29 A population study showed that
-tocopherol supplementation in healthy individuals increases plasma levels of
-tocopherol and reduces LDL oxidative susceptibility and circulating oxidized LDL.30 In contrast, several other clinical studies have reported that supplementation with
-tocopherol has no effect on autoantibodies against Ox-LDL in hyperlipidemic patients,31 in patients with chronic renal failure,32 or in chronic smokers.33 In agreement with the latter results, the plasma levels of Ox-LDL were increased in affected FCHL family members, despite the elevation of plasma
-tocopherol. In addition, the low-fat, high-vegetable diet, which increased plasma concentrations of vitamin C, ß-carotene, and lycopene, failed to decrease plasma levels of Ox-LDL measured with mAb-EO6.34 The positive correlation between Ox-LDL and plasma antioxidants (Table 2) in FCHL family members may reflect the fact that adaptive increase in plasma antioxidants cannot protect lipoprotein lipids against oxidation in the arterial wall.29
Potential Mechanisms of Production of Circulating Ox-LDL
The characteristics of Ox-LDL isolated from plasma of CAD patients are comparable to those of Ox-LDL isolated from atherosclerotic lesions.35 Lysine-aldehyde adducts, which may be a marker of Ox-LDL, are detected in the macrophage-rich lesions of human and rabbit aorta.36 In the present study, Ox-LDL was measured by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in which mAb-4E6 is directed against a conformation epitope in the apoB-100 moiety of LDL with at least 60 aldehyde-substituted lysine residues of apoB-100.6 The mAb-4E6 is specific to Ox-LDL but, to some extent, it also detects circulating malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified LDL.35 Several clinical studies have shown that plasma levels of circulating Ox-LDL measured by mAb-4E6 are associated with CAD6,10 or subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.13 The potential origin of circulating Ox-LDL may be a direct release of modified LDL from ruptured or permeable plaques, or ischemic injury.2,3 Generation of Ox-LDL in arterial wall is probably affected by susceptibility of LDL to oxidation, the particle size, and the number of LDL in the circulation, the composition of LDL, and local oxidative stress in the arterial wall. Thus, circulating Ox-LDL may reflect the combined effect of these factors via additive and synergistic actions.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study analyzing systematically the potential determinants of circulating Ox-LDL in FCHL family members without clinical CAD (Table 2). LDL particle size, as well as plasma triglycerides, and apoB levels correlated positively with Ox-LDL, whereas HDL cholesterol was negatively related to Ox-LDL. Small LDL particles penetrate into the subendothelial space more easily and have high binding affinity with proteoglycans. This process promotes LDL modification in the arterial wall.37 In keeping with our results, other studies have shown that small dense LDL is associated with high levels of circulating MDA-LDL38 or autoantibodies against MDA-LDL.39 The negative correlation between circulating Ox-LDL and the lag time of LDL oxidation in vitro suggests that LDL particles susceptible to oxidation in vitro may also be easily oxidized in vivo. The antioxidant actions of HDL40 may explain the negative correlation between circulating Ox-LDL and HDL. In the multivariate analysis, the concentrations of serum LDL cholesterol, apoB, and plasma 8-isoprostane remained the independent determinants of Ox-LDL, thus being the most important factors contributing to the generation of circulating Ox-LDL (Table 2). In agreement, a recent study demonstrated that the levels of circulating Ox-LDL in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance were associated with components of dyslipidemia, but not with the antioxidant parameters.41 Several other studies have shown that LDL and total cholesterol concentrations are related to Ox-LDL measured by different antibodies.10,13,42 Previous studies have suggested that 8-isoprostane is formed during the in vitro oxidation of LDL.43 In this context, the increased plasma levels of LDL cholesterol and apoB in FCHL indicate the increased number of LDL particles available to penetrate and consequently enhance invasion of LDL into the subendothelium space, where the increased oxidative stress as measured by 8-isoprostane will promote the oxidative modification of LDL.
Association Between Ox-LDL and Carotid IMT
Oxidative modification of LDL is believed to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis.1 Susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in vitro and autoantibodies against Ox-LDL have been related with atherosclerotic diseases in some, but not all, clinical studies.26,4446 Recently, circulating Ox-LDL measured by different antibodies has been associated with cardiovascular diseases.1012 In the present study, the carotid mean IMT increased by tertiles of Ox-LDL in the combined group (Figure A). In addition, the relative numbers of affected subjects were significantly increased in highest tertile group as compared with those in the middle and in the lowest tertile groups. These data suggest that the subjects with an increased level of Ox-LDL have increased carotid IMT, particularly in affected family members. Furthermore, carotid mean IMT was independently associated with age, pulse pressure, LDL size, and Ox-LDL in the univariate and multivariate analyses. The association between Ox-LDL and mean IMT persisted even after adjustment for logTG, LDL cholesterol, and apoB. The data indicate that Ox-LDL is a useful marker of the early stage of atherosclerosis in FCHL family members without clinical CAD. These results are in keeping with previous studies in which Ox-LDL was associated with the extent of CAD.6 Likewise, Ox-LDL was univariately correlated with IMT in carotid or femoral arteries and independently associated with subclinical plaque occurrence in carotid and femoral arteries in healthy population.13 However, no association between carotid IMT and plasma 8-isoprostane was observed in the present study, in line with the other studies.47,48 Pulse pressure, a pulsatile component of blood pressure determined by stiffness and elastic properties of arterial walls, is reported to be independently associated with carotid IMT in some studies.49 In agreement, we observed an independent association between carotid IMT and pulse pressure.
| Conclusion |
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| Acknowledgments |
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The image analyses of carotid IMT were performed at Oy Jurilab Ltd (www.jurilab.fi). Arja Malkkis excellent work in reading the scannings is gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank Hannele Hilden, Helinä Perttunen-Nio, Virve Vesterinen, Leena Lehikoinen, Ritva Marjanen, and Tomi Silvennoinen for their skillful laboratory assistance. We also appreciate the Finnish FCHL family members for their participation in this study. This work was supported by the Helsinki University Central Hospital Research Fund and the Finnish Heart Foundation. The EUFAM study is supported by the European Commission (contract number BMH4-CT96-1678).
| Footnotes |
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Received April 30, 2004; accepted May 19, 2004.
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-tocopherol on superoxide production and plasma intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and antibodies to oxidized LDL in chronic smokers. Free Radic Biol Med. 2001; 30: 11221129.[CrossRef][Medline]
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