Increased high‑density lipoprotein‑oxidant index in ischemic stroke patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Neuroscience
• Biochemistry

Background:

• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) possesses atheroprotective properties.
• HDL functionality can be compromised during disease, especially atherosclerosis.
• Dysfunctional HDL contributes to cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate HDL functionality in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
• To compare HDL functionality between AIS patients and healthy controls.
• To investigate HDL functional alterations across different AIS subtypes.

Main Methods:

• Assessed HDL functionality using an antioxidant capacity assay (dichlorodihydrofluorescein-based fluorescent assay).
• Measured HDL oxidant index (HOI) to quantify HDL's ability to inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation.
• Compared HOI values in 71 statin-naïve AIS patients (South Indian descent) versus 25 healthy controls.

Main Results:

• AIS patients exhibited significantly higher HOI compared to controls (1.07±0.32 vs. 0.51±0.12; P<0.001), indicating dysfunctional HDL and high oxidative stress.
• All AIS subtypes (Cardioembolic, large vessel disease, small vessel disease) showed HOI > 1, signifying reduced HDL antioxidant capacity.
• No significant differences in HOI were observed among the AIS subtypes.

Conclusions:

• HDL is dysfunctional in AIS patients, characterized by reduced antioxidant capacity.
• HDL dysfunction in AIS is independent of HDL-cholesterol levels.
• Targeting HDL functionality may offer a therapeutic strategy for acute ischemic stroke.