Oxidized LDL and C-reactive protein level in relation to carotid intima-media thickness in population with risk factors for atherosclerosis

摘要

Introduction. Elevated levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol (OxLDL) are considered to be a key factor of initiating and accelerating atherosclerosis. It promotes atherosclerosis through inflammatory and immunologic mechanisms that lead to the formation of macrophage foam cells. Objective. To determine the relationship among OxLDL, C-reactive protein (CRP) level and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in population with risk factors for atherosclerosis. Methods. The study group consisted of 125 clinically healthy, hypercholesterolaemic subjects (49.3±5.7 years; 75 females and 50 males) compared with 100 age-matched population-based control subjects. The study group was divided into two subgroups: subgroup A (the levels of LDL cholesterol > 5 mmol/L) and subgroup B (the levels of LDL cholesterol