Blood levels of the oxidized form of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are directly related to the severity of heart disease, according to a report in the April 17 issue of Circulation.
In the two-part study, Japanese researchers also found that oxidized LDL-C was higher in the plaques of individuals with unstable angina than in those with stable angina.
Part one of the study included 135 patients who had various signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI) or angina45 had MI, 45 had unstable angina, and 45 had stable angina. There was also a control group. Blood samples were taken from all patients admitted to the hospital.
Researchers found that average levels of oxidized LDL-C in patients who had an MI were 1.95 ng per 5 µg of LDL-C vs 1.19 ng per 5 µg of LDL-C for those with unstable angina, 0.89 ng per 5 µg of LDL-C . . . [Full Text of this Article]