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HDL-Associated Specific Paraoxonase-1 Activity Is Linked to Atherogenic Lipoprotein Measures in a High Cardiovascular
Linas Černiauskas1,2, Viktorija Palšytė1, Goda Aleknavičiūtė1,2
1Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Čiurlionio st. 21, LT-03101 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Insights
Higher specific paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity may indicate a less atherogenic lipid profile in individuals at high cardiovascular risk. This exploratory study links specific PON1 activity to lower LDL-C and apolipoprotein B levels.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a major global health concern, driving the search for novel risk assessment tools beyond traditional lipid profiles.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL)-related biomarkers are gaining attention for their potential to indicate oxidative stress and atherogenic processes.
- Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity is investigated as a potential indicator of oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between specific paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and various cardiovascular risk factors in a high-risk Lithuanian population.
- To explore whether specific PON1 activity is associated with anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and lipid metabolism parameters.
- To determine if specific PON1 activity correlates with established atherogenic lipid markers.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 100 middle-aged Lithuanian individuals identified as high cardiovascular risk.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions were isolated using iodixanol-based density gradient centrifugation.
- Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) concentration and arylesterase activity were measured to define specific PON1 activity.
Main Results:
- No significant associations were found between specific PON1 activity and age, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, smoking, or statin use.
- Specific PON1 activity showed an independent association with lower risk-weighted apolipoprotein B levels.
- Higher specific PON1 activity was linked to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.
Conclusions:
- Higher specific PON1 activity may be associated with a less atherogenic lipid profile in individuals at high cardiovascular risk.
- Findings suggest a potential role for specific PON1 activity as a biomarker, indicated by its association with LDL-C and apolipoprotein B.
- Further longitudinal studies in larger cohorts are necessary to validate these exploratory findings and their implications for oxidative stress assessment.
Abstract:
Despite increasing efforts to improve cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk evaluation and management, it remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. This has driven interest in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-related biomarkers as indicators of oxidative stress and atherogenic processes not fully captured by traditional lipid measurements. In this study, we examined specific paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and its relationship with anthropometric, blood pressure, and lipid metabolism measures in 100 middle-aged Lithuanian individuals at high cardiovascular risk. HDL fractions were isolated using iodixanol-based density gradient centrifugation. PON1 concentration and arylesterase activity were measured, and specific activity was defined as arylesterase activity normalized to PON1 concentration. No significant associations were observed between specific PON1 activity and age, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, smoking status, or statin use. Specific PON1 activity was independently associated with lower risk-weighted apolipoprotein B and lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. These exploratory findings suggest that higher specific PON1 activity may reflect a less atherogenic lipid profile in individuals at high cardiovascular risk, as indicated by its association with LDL-C and with risk-weighted apolipoprotein B. Because direct oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were not measured, interpretations regarding oxidative burden should be considered indirect and hypothesis-generating. Given the cross-sectional nature of the study and the relatively small sample size, these results should be interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis-generating. Further longitudinal studies in larger populations are needed to confirm these observations.
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