Contribution of an In Vivo Oxidized LDL to LDL Oxidation and Its Association With Dense LDL Subpopulations

Oxidative modification of LDL is thought to be a radical-mediated process involving lipid peroxides. The small dense LDL subpopulations are particularly susceptible to oxidation, and individuals with high proportions of dense LDL are at a greater risk for atherosclerosis. An oxidatively modified plasma LDL, referred to as LDL sup -, is found largely among the dense LDL fractions. LDL sup - and dense LDL particles also contain much greater amounts of lipid peroxides compared with total LDL or the more buoyant LDL fractions. The content of LDL sup - in dense LDL particles appears to be related to copper- or heme-induced oxidative susceptibility, which may be attributable to peroxide levels. The rate of lipid peroxidation during the antioxidant-protected phase (lag period) and the length of the antioxidant-protected phase (lag time) are correlated with the LDL sup - content of total LDL. Once LDL oxidation enters the propagation phase, there is no relationship to the initial LDL sup - content or total LDL lipid peroxide or vitamin E levels. Beyond a threshold LDL sup - content of approximately equal 2%, there is a significant increase in the oxidative susceptibility of nLDL particles (ie, purified LDL that is free of LDL sup -), and this susceptibility becomes more pronounced as the LDL sup - content increases. nLDL is resistant to copper- or heme-induced oxidation. The oxidative susceptibility is not influenced by vitamin E content in LDL but is strongly inhibited by ascorbic acid in the medium. Involvement of LDL sup - -associated peroxides during the stimulated oxidation of LDL is suggested by the inhibition of nLDL oxidation when LDL sup - is treated with ebselen prior to its addition to nLDL. Populations of LDL enriched with LDL sup - appear to contain peroxides at levels approaching the threshold required for progressive radical propagation reactions. We postulate that elevated LDL sup - may constitute a pro-oxidant state that facilitates oxidative reactions in vascular components. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1996;16:784-793.)