Anti-oxidized LDL Antibodies and Wine Consumption: A Population-based Epidemiological Study in Dicomano, Italy

PURPOSE: In previous studies, higher levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) have been reported to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, the anti-oxidative properties of red wine have been invoked to explain the paradox of low cardiovascular mortality, in spite of high-fat intake, in the French population. However, the distribution of ox-LDL-antibodies (ox-LDL-Ab) in the unselected population and its relationship with red wine consumption are unknown. This study was carried out to identify factors associated with ox-LDL-Ab, with particular emphasis on the association with wine consumption. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of 551 unselected, community-dwelling older adults (aged 65 to 94 years) living in Dicomano (Italy). Ox-LDL-Ab titre was measured with an ELISA method. RESULTS: In the whole study sample, ox-LDL-Ab increased with age and was unrelated to blood lipids, HbA1c, and smoking habit. A significant inverse relationship was found between ox-LDL-Ab titre and daily wine intake, which persisted after adjusting for possible confounders or in subgroup analyses of participants who reported to drink wine or were free from significant morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that wine affects ox-LDL-Ab titre in older populations, possibly because of its antioxidant properties.