Abstract
BackgroundElevated titers of antibodies against oxidized low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (ox-LDL-Ab) have been reported among professional athletes, paradoxically reflecting an increased risk of developing atherogenic and/or cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine titers of ox-LDL-Ab in a group of Cameroonian professional soccer players, and evaluate their evolution during part of a competition season as well as the plasmatic antioxidant status to find out if this latter correlates with ox-LDL-Ab .MethodsWe conducted a descriptive cohort study in 2012 including 18 healthy male soccer players. Three samplings were performed in March (T1), May (T2), and July 2012 (T3) to assess the lipid profile, titers of ox-LDL-Ab, and plasmatic concentrations of four antioxidants: the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and uric acid.ResultsAges ranged from 16 to 28 years with a median (interquartile range) of 19.5 (19–23) years. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides varied within normal ranges throughout the three samplings. While total cholesterol and LDL-C titers increased significantly (p = 0.003 and p = 0.006, respectively), triglycerides and HDL-C values varied non-significantly throughout the measurements (p = 0.061 and p = 0.192, respectively). The median ox-LDL-Ab titers were respectively: 653.3 (468.2–838.8) mIU/ml at T1, 777.7 (553.7–1150.7) mIU/ml at T2, and 1037.7 (901.7–1481.5) mIU/ml at T3. Overall, ox-LDL-Ab titers increased significantly from T1 to T3 (p = 0.006). Concomitantly, uric acid and FRAP concentrations decreased significantly (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively); on the contrary, GSH and SOD values increased, but insignificantly (p = 0.115 and p = 0.110, respectively). There was a positive and significant correlation between ox-LDL-Ab and HDL-C (ρ = 0.519, p = 0.027), and between ox-LDL-Ab and SOD (ρ = 0.504, p = 0.033) at T2. Ox-LDL-Ab values were expected to increase with each new visit (β = 201.1; p = 0.041) and each IU/ml of SOD titers (β = 23.6; p = 0.019).ConclusionThese Cameroonian professional soccer players exhibited high levels of ox-LDL-Ab reflecting elevated levels of oxidatively-modified LDL-C particles with an increment over time, this being insufficiently counterbalanced by the antioxidant defense mechanisms. As a consequence, they may be at increased atherogenic and cardiovascular risks.
Highlights
Elevated titers of antibodies against oxidized low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol have been reported among professional athletes, paradoxically reflecting an increased risk of developing atherogenic and/ or cardiovascular events
Total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDL-C) significantly increased from T1 to T3: median 136 vs. 161 mg/ dl; p = 0.003 and 55 vs. 81 mg/dl; p = 0.006, respectively
High levels of TG and low levels of high-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDL-C) are among the elements shaping atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD); along with elevated levels of LDL-C, they are recognized as independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) [20]
Summary
Elevated titers of antibodies against oxidized low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (ox-LDL-Ab) have been reported among professional athletes, paradoxically reflecting an increased risk of developing atherogenic and/ or cardiovascular events. This study aimed to determine titers of ox-LDL-Ab in a group of Cameroonian professional soccer players, and evaluate their evolution during part of a competition season as well as the plasmatic antioxidant status to find out if this latter correlates with ox-LDL-Ab. Evidence has accumulated that oxidative stress may be implicated in the etiology of atherosclerosis. The risk of developing atherosclerosis is determined by the absolute levels of atherogenic lipoproteins, and by the relative tendency of such substances to undergo oxidation [1]. Low-density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDLC) are highly susceptible to oxidative processes initiated by oxygen free radicals, whereby oxidatively-modified LDL-C particles (ox-LDL) are produced as a result [2]. In vivo, elevated titers of ox-LDL-Ab have been found in many diseases such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease [3], hypertension [4], renal failure [5], and diabetes [6]
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