Autoantibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Clin Chim Acta. 2002 Mar;317(1-2):145-50. doi: 10.1016/s0009-8981(01)00767-7.

Abstract

Background: Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a crucial step in atherogenesis. There is an urgent need for direct measures of in vivo oxidative stress. Autoantibodies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ab against Ox-LDL) are a direct measure of oxidative stress and predict cardiovascular disease. Our aim was to evaluate an ELISA for Ab against Ox-LDL in Type 2 diabetes, a condition with increased oxidative stress.

Methods: Ab against Ox-LDL were measured by ELISA and expressed as a ratio of Ox-LDL to native LDL (N-LDL). Samples were obtained from 45 Type 2 diabetic patients and 25 matched controls before and after supplementation with alpha tocopherol (AT, 1200 IU/day).

Results: The assay had good precision. While there was no interference with bilirubin and hemolysis, triglycerides 500 mg/dl increased antibody titer, which was abrogated by airfuging. Compared to controls, significantly increased titers of Ab against Ox-LDL were found in diabetics (diabetes mellitus Type 2) with macrovascular disease (DM2-MV), but not without macrovascular disease (DM2) (DM2: 1.32+/-0.33; DM2-MV: 1.48+/-0.44 vs. controls, 1.21+/-0.28; p<0.05). AT supplementation significantly decreased titers of Ab against Ox-LDL in both diabetic groups (p<0.01).

Conclusion: This assay may serve as a future test for the assessment of cardiovascular risk especially in patients with increased oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Autoantibodies / analysis*
  • Autoantibodies / drug effects
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / immunology*
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tocopherols / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Tocopherols