Background: The oxidative modification of LDL (oxLDL) appears to play a key role in the early developmental stages of atherosclerosis. Increased serum antibodies against the oxLDL (anti-oxLDL antibodies) have been found in adults with atherosclerotic diseases, as well as in healthy ones. However, the clinical significance and its precise role, atherogenic or atheroprotective, have not been yet clarified. This study aims in evaluating anti-oxLDL antibodies in healthy children and adolescents with- and without hypercholesterolemia.
Methods: The study included 312 subjects, aged 4-18 years, 141 with LDL-C ≥130mg/dl and 171 with ‘acceptable” LDL-C (<110mg/dl) level. Total anti-oxLDL antibodies, total-, LDL- and HDL- cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A1 and B, lipoprotein (a) and high sensitive C-reactive protein were determined in fasting serum. The anti-oxLDL antibodies were measured by ELISA. Results: Anti-oxLDL antibodies were similar in the hypercholesterolemic and non hypercholesterolemic group. Females had significantly higher levels of anti-oxLDL antibodies compared to males. There was no significant correlation of antibodies with age or BMI. Increased apoB was an important factor for lower anti-oxLDL antibodies, while all other parameters had no significant association with anti-oxLDL antibodies.
Conclusion: In children and adolescents with hypercholesterolemia, total anti-oxLDL antibodies cannot serve as a marker for assessment of the risk for atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular diseases.