HDL-Associated Specific Paraoxonase-1 Activity Is Linked to Atherogenic Lipoprotein Measures in a High Cardiovascular...

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.