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Oxidized low-density lipoprotein, iron stores, and haptoglobin polymorphism
Annelies Brouwers1, Michel Langlois, Joris Delanghe
1Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, AZ St-Jan AV Hospital, Ruddershove 10, B-8000 Bruges, Belgium.
Atherosclerosis
|August 13, 2004
Summary
Body iron stores, measured by serum ferritin, and haptoglobin (Hp) gene variations are linked to oxidized LDL (oxLDL) levels in men. These findings suggest a connection between iron metabolism and cardiovascular risk markers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease research
- Iron metabolism and oxidative stress
- Genetic markers of cardiovascular risk
Background:
- In vitro studies indicate iron enhances low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation.
- Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) is implicated in atherosclerosis development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between circulating oxLDL levels and body iron stores (serum ferritin).
- To explore the relationship between oxLDL and iron-related genetic markers, including hemochromatosis gene C282Y mutation and haptoglobin (Hp) polymorphism.
Main Methods:
- Study included 381 healthy Caucasians (176 males, 205 females).
- Serum oxLDL/LDL ratio was measured using ELISA.
- Hemochromatosis C282Y mutation and Hp phenotypes were determined using PCR and electrophoresis, respectively.
Main Results:
- Serum ferritin and Hp phenotype independently predicted oxLDL/LDL ratio in the total group and in men.
- In men, smoking, ferritin, Hp phenotype, and HDL-cholesterol were independent determinants of oxLDL/LDL ratio.
- In women, BMI, HDL-cholesterol, and smoking were significantly associated with oxLDL/LDL ratio; C282Y mutation showed no association.
Conclusions:
- Serum ferritin concentration and Hp polymorphism are independently associated with circulating oxLDL levels in males.
- These findings highlight the role of iron status and Hp genotype in modulating oxLDL levels, particularly in men.