Autoantibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein in coronary artery disease

Background: The significance of antioxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) antibodies in atherogenesis is not yet clear, and there are conflicting data regarding anti-oxLDL levels in early hypertension. Methods: The levels of anti-oxLDL antibodies were studied in coronary artery disease patients with (n = 82) or without (n = 36) hypertension, in association to other risk factors for coronary artery disease. Results: The levels of anti-oxLDL antibodies did not differ significantly between coronary artery disease patients with or without hypertension. (0.132 ± 0.146 v 0.153 ± 0.158 optical density at 405 nm, respectively; P = .48). No significant differences in anti-oxLDL antibodies were found between men and women with and without hypertension, between hypertensive patients with normal and abnormal blood pressure measurements, and between medicated and nonmedicated hypertensive patients. The presence of diabetes mellitus, smoking, and hypercholesterolemia, either solely or in combination, did not result in significant differences in antibody levels in the hypertensive or normotensive patients. Conclusions: Although the levels of oxLDL antibodies might be modified in early hypertension, once advanced coronary artery disease has developed the presence of hypertension does not affect anti-oxLDL levels.