Evaluation of Enhanced Lipid Oxidation and Compensatory Suppression using Natriuretic Peptide in Patients with...

Malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) is recognized as a surrogate marker of lipid oxidation and is associated with arteriosclerosis. However, there are limited reports on the relationship between heart failure and MDA-LDL. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether MDA-LDL is activated in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and examine our hypothesis that the B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) masks the enhancement of MDA-LDL in patients with LV dysfunction by its strong antioxidative action. The study population comprised 2,976 patients with various cardiovascular diseases. Patients were divided into four groups depending on the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) or plasma BNP level. A nonparametric analysis with the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to perform an interquartile comparison. In addition, structural equation modeling and Bayesian estimation were used to compare the effects of LVEF and BNP on MDA-LDL. MDA-LDL levels did not significantly change (P > 0.05) with respect to the degree of LVEF among the four groups. In contrast, MDA-LDL levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) with respect to the degree of BNP among the four groups. A path model based on structural equation modeling clearly showed a significant effect of LVEF (standardized regression coefficient; β: -0.107, P < 0.001) and BNP (β: -0.114, P < 0.001) on MDA-LDL, with a significant inverse association between LVEF and BNP (correlation coefficient -0.436, P < 0.001). MDA-LDL should be activated in patients with LV dysfunction; however, BNP is thought to exert a strong compensatory suppression on lipid oxidation, masking the relationship between heart failure and lipid oxidation.