Oxidized LDL - a marker for Heart Disease in younger population of India?

The prevalence of CHD is increasing day by day in India. The hardening of arteries is actually linked to oxidative variations in low-density lipoproteins (LDLs). Modification of LDL to oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) is a crucial step in the oxidation hypothesis of atherogenesis. Oxidized LDL and remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C) both stimulate the immune and inflammatory reactions and promote atherosclerosis.

Remnant lipoproteins transport more cholesterol to macrophages compared to LDL particles. Remnant lipoproteins also enter the arterial wall easily and are taken up directly by macrophages. This leads to the formation of foam cells, thus initiating the lipid-laden plaque. High-sensitive C-reactive protein acts as a nonspecific inflammatory marker. All this has recently been published in a Study in the Journal of the associations of Physician of India.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 273 subjects. 91 Non-Diabetic subjects with Coronary heart disease, 91 Diabetic subjects with Coronary heart disease, and 91 normal healthy subjects were selected as control. After overnight fasting, body fluid samples were collected for analysis for lipid profile, oxidized-LDL, and high sensitive-C Reactive Protein. Oxidized LDL and high sensitive-C Reactive Protein were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and lipid profile was measured.

It was found that the mean level of oxidized-LDL, Remnant lipoproteins Cholesterol, and high sensitive- C Reactive Protein was significantly elevated in the Coronary heart disease group. A significantly positive correlation was observed between plasma oxidized-LDL, Remnant lipoproteins Cholesterol, and high sensitive-C Reactive Protein.

Reference: Thirnavukkarasu Jaishankar, Meera Shivasekar, Vellore M Vinodhini, "Assessment of Remnant Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein Associated with Low-grade Inflammation in Coronary Heart Disease Subjects of Young South Indian Population"; Volume issue: 70 2022.