Background: antibodies to oxidized LDL are markers of oxidative stress and are associated with atherogenesis. However, their exact significance is still undetermined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation of the levels of these antibodies with troponin levels.
Patients and methods: This was a single center prospective study. One thousand consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled. The levels of anti-oxidized LDL antibodies were determined by ELISA. Level of 1.0 optical density units was used to distinguish normal from elevated values. The level of 0.5 ng/ml was used to distinguish elevated troponin levels.
Results: Of total 1000 patients, 412 had elevated anti oxidized LDL antibodies (group 1) and 588 had normal levels (group 2). Both groups did not differ in age, gender, or presence of diabetes. Patients from group one had elevated total cholesterol (171. 7 vs 161.7 mg/dl, p=0.005). Patients from group 1 had significantly higher average troponin levels (40.6% vs 28.1%, p=0.002). These patients also had significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction (49.9% vs 48.1%, p=0.013). Of note, prevalence of abnormal renal functions as determined by elevated creatinine levels (more than 1.1 mg/dl) was significantly lower in patients with elevated O-LDL antibodies levels (19.8% vs 25.6%, p=0.021).
Conclusions: Elevated levels of antibodies to oxidized LDL are associated with myocardial injury as determined by elevated troponin levels and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.
