Plasma lipid composition and LDL oxidation

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in vivo depends on lipid composition and on plasma antioxidant status. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between plasma lipid composition and LDL oxidation and, in particular, to explore whether LDL-cholesterol/triglycerides ratio (LDLC/TG) and LDL-cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL)cholesterol ratio (LDLC/HDLC) can be used as predictive parameters of LDL oxidation in vivo. In 87 volunteers over a wide range of age plasma lipids and LDL oxidation were studied. Blood was collected after 12 h overnight fast. LDL oxidation was estimated by the level of conjugated diene (BDC) in the lipid fraction isolated from plasma after gradient ultracentrifugation. The results were expressed as mol/l (BDC/l) to evaluate the level of oxidized LDL, and as nmol of BDC for mg of LDL-cholesterol (BDC/LDLC) for the evaluation of LDL oxidation degree. BDC/l correlated significantly with age, total and LDLC, apolipoprotein B and TG, while BDC/LDL negatively correlated with total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, LDL/TG and LDL/HDL ratios. Age of subjects significantly correlated with total and LDLC and apolipoprotein B. TG have a significant inverse correlation with HDL-C. Our results support the hypothesis that among the several factors involved in LDL oxidation the most important determinants are LDL/TG. Plasma triglycerides appear to be very important even when circulating cholesterol levels are within normal limits. Moreover, we found that the LDL/HDL ratio is also very important with regard to the putative protective role of HDL against LDL oxidation in vivo. In conclusion, plasma lipid parameters must be evaluated not only for their absolute values but also for their mutual ratios as expression of plasma lipid homeostasis. Both LDL/TG and LDL/HDL ratios can be used as predictive parameters of in vivo LDL oxidation.