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Oxidized low density lipoproteins in patients with transplant-associated coronary artery disease
P Holvoet1, J M Stassen, J Van Cleemput
1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, University of Leuven, Belgium. paul.holvoet@med.kuleuven.ac.be
Insights
Elevated oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) in heart transplant recipients. Higher oxidized LDL may serve as a biomarker for post-transplant CAD progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant concern in heart transplant recipients.
- Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) plays a role in atherogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify plasma levels of oxidized LDL in heart transplant patients.
- To investigate the correlation between oxidized LDL levels and the presence and severity of post-transplant CAD.
Main Methods:
- Monoclonal antibody 4E6-based ELISA was used for oxidized LDL quantification.
- Plasma samples were analyzed from control subjects and patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or coronary artery disease (CAD) post-transplant.
- Logistic regression analysis identified independent predictors of post-transplant CAD.
Main Results:
- Oxidized LDL levels were significantly higher in heart transplant patients compared to controls.
- A positive correlation was observed between oxidized LDL levels and the severity of coronary artery stenosis.
- Plasma oxidized LDL levels, follow-up duration, and donor age were independent predictors of post-transplant CAD.
Conclusions:
- Plasma oxidized LDL levels correlate with the extent of CAD in heart transplant patients.
- Elevated oxidized LDL may serve as a valuable biomarker for detecting and monitoring post-transplant CAD.
Abstract:
The monoclonal antibody 4E6-based ELISA was used to quantify levels of oxidized LDL in plasma of 65 control subjects, 47 patients transplanted for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and 60 patients transplanted for coronary artery disease (CAD). Levels of oxidized LDL were 0.68+/-0.039 mg/dL (mean+/-SEM), 1.27+/-0.14 mg/dL (P<.001 versus control), and 1.73+/-0.13 mg/dL (P<.001 versus control and <0.01 versus DCM), respectively. Levels of oxidized LDL were significantly lower in transplanted patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries (grade 0, 1.16+/-0.053 mg/dL; n=79) than in patients with mild (grade 1, 2.13+/-0.30 mg/dL; n=18; P<.001 versus grade 0) or severe (grade 2, 3.18+/-0.45 mg/dL; n=10; P<.001 versus grade 0 and P<.05 versus grade 1) coronary artery stenosis. Logistic regression analysis identified three parameters that were significantly and independently correlated with posttransplant CAD: plasma levels of oxidized LDL (P=.0001), length of follow-up (P=.0008), and donor age (P=.047). Thus, the present study demonstrates that plasma levels of oxidized LDL correlate with the extent of CAD in heart transplant patients and suggests that elevated levels of oxidized LDL may be a marker for CAD.