Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein in atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis

Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein in atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis 

The oxidative modification of LDL has been implicated in atherosclerosis. This disease may be regarded as a chronic inflammatory condition, and here we discuss how oxidatively modified LDL (oLDL) may play a role not only in atherosclerosis but also in other chronic inflammatory diseases such as RA. LDL (Mr = 2.5 x 106) is one of the major plasma carriers of lipids, as well as the antioxidants vitamin E and (3-carotene. Because of its high content of unsaturated fatty acids, LDL is uniquely sensitive to lipid peroxidation [ 117]. 

Recently, we carried out immunohistochemical studies using an antibody directed against oLDL to demonstrate the presence of foam cells and fatty streaks around blood vessels within the sub-intimal lining of rheumatoid synovial tissue [125]. We have also found that the concentration of vitamin E is markedly diminished in synovial fluid from inflamed joints when compared to matched plasma samples, even after correcting for total lipid concentrations [126], 

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