Role of lipoprotein peroxidation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been shown to alter its properties in a way that tends to increase its atherogenicity. Cultured arterial endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells can promote LDL oxidation in vitro. Several recent studies have provided evidence for the presence of oxidized LDL in atherosclerotic lesions. Furthermore, treatment of atherosclerosis-prone rabbits with an antioxidant was found to slow the progression of aortic lesions. Additional experimental work is required to determine if LDL oxidation is indeed an important causal step in atherogenesis in humans, but the preliminary data are encouraging and offer the potential for a new approach to the prevention and therapy of atherosclerosis.