Extent Of Low-density Lipoprotein Oxidation Research Articles

The low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-associated PAF-acetylhydrolase activity and the extent of LDL oxidation are important determinants of the autoantibody titers against oxidized LDL in patients with coronary artery disease

The oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) induces immunogenic epitopes, many of which are due to oxidatively modified phospholipids (oxPL). Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) which is generated during LDL oxidation through the hydrolysis of oxPL by LDL-associated PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is also immunogenic. We investigated whether the LDL-associated PAF-AH and the extent of LDL oxidation influence the autoantibody titers against oxidized LDL (oxLDL) in patients with stable angina as well as in apparently healthy volunteers. Three types of copper-oxidized LDL, were prepared at the end of the lag, propagation or decomposition phase (oxLDL L, oxLDL P and oxLDL D, respectively). Similar types of oxidized LDL were prepared after previous inactivation of endogenous PAF-AH [oxLDL(−)]. All these types of oxLDL as well as malondialdehyde-modified LDL (MDA-LDL) were used as antigens. Antibody titers against the above antigens were measured with an ELISA method in the serum of 65 patients with stable angina and 47 apparently healthy volunteers. Both groups exhibited higher autoantibody titers against each type of oxLDL(−) compared to the respective type of oxLDL ( P<0.00001). In both groups autoantibody titers were higher when the oxLDL P and oxLDL D or oxLDL(-) P and oxLDL(−) D were used as antigens compared to oxLDL L ( P<0.04) or to oxLDL(−) L, respectively ( P<0.0001 for all comparisons). Patients had significantly higher titers against all types of oxLDL (enriched in lyso-PC) and oxLDL(−) (enriched in intact oxPL) compared to controls. Autoantibody titers against MDA-LDL did not differ between patients and controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that among the autoantibody titers measured only those towards oxLDL P are associated with a significantly higher risk for coronary artery disease. LDL-associated PAF-AH activity may play an important role in decreasing the overall immunogenicity of oxLDL, whereas the extent of LDL oxidation seems to modulate the epitopes formed on oxLDL. Lyso-PC, a major component of oxLDL P, could be mainly responsible for the elevated autoantibody titers against oxLDL in patients with stable angina.

The Catalytic Histidine Dyad of High Density Lipoprotein-associated Serum Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) Is Essential for PON1-mediated Inhibition of Low Density Lipoprotein Oxidation and Stimulation of Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux

High density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated paraoxonase-1 (PON1) anti-atherogenic properties in macrophages, i.e. inhibition of cell-mediated oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and stimulation of cholesterol efflux, were studied using recombinant variants of PON1 and apoA-I expressed in Escherichia coli and reconstituted HDL (rHDL) particles composed of phosphatidylcholine/free cholesterol (PC/FC) and apoA-I. PON1 lactonase activity is stimulated by apoA-I by approximately 7-fold relative to PC/FC particles. Wild-type (WT) PON1 bound to rHDL inhibited macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation and stimulated cholesterol efflux from the cells to 2.3- and 3.2-fold greater extents, respectively, compared with WT PON1 bound to PC/FC particles without apoA-I. We also tested PON1 catalytic histidine dyad mutants (H115Q and H134Q) that are properly folded and that bind HDL in a similar mode compared with WT PON1, but that exhibit almost no lactonase activity. These could not inhibit macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation or stimulate rHDL-mediated cholesterol efflux from the cells. Furthermore, whereas HDL-bound WT PON1 induced the formation of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) in macrophages, the His dyad mutants did not, suggesting that the above anti-atherogenic properties of HDL-associated PON1 involve LPC release. Indeed, enrichment of macrophages with increasing concentrations of LPC resulted in inhibition of the cells' capability to oxidize LDL and in stimulation of HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux from the macrophages in an LPC dose-dependent manner. Thus, we provide the first direct indication that the anti-atherogenic properties of PON1 are related to its lipolactonase activity and propose a model in which PON1 acts as a lipolactonase to break down oxidized lipids and to generate LPC.

Oral administration of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine prevents the onset of non alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats

To evaluate the potential of S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) in inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the effect of oral SNAC administration in the prevention of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in an animal model. NAFLD was induced in Wistar male rats by choline-deficient diet for 4 wk. SNAC-treated animals (n=6) (1.4 mg/kg per day of SNAC, orally) were compared to 2 control groups: one (n=6) received PBS solution and the other (n=6) received NAC solution (7 mg/kg per day). Histological variables were semiquantitated with respect to macro and microvacuolar fat changes, its zonal distribution, foci of necrosis, portal and perivenular fibrosis, and inflammatory infiltrate with zonal distribution. LOOHs from samples of liver homogenates were quantified by HPLC. Nitrate levels in plasma of portal vein were assessed by chemiluminescence. Aqueous low-density lipoprotein (LDL) suspensions (200 microg protein/mL) were incubated with CuCl(2) (300 micromol/L) in the absence and presence of SNAC (300 micromol/L) for 15 h at 37 degree Celsius. Extent of LDL oxidation was assessed by fluorimetry. Linoleic acid (LA) (18.8 micromol/L) oxidation was induced by soybean lipoxygenase (SLO) (0.056 micromol/L) at 37 degree Celsius in the presence and absence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and SNAC (56 and 560 micromol/L) and monitored at 234 nm. Animals in the control group developed moderate macro and microvesicular fatty changes in periportal area. SNAC-treated animals displayed only discrete histological alterations with absence of fatty changes and did not develop liver steatosis. The absence of NAFLD in the SNAC-treated group was positively correlated with a decrease in the concentration of LOOH in liver homogenate, compared to the control group (0.7+/-0.2 nmol/mg vs 3.2+/-0.4 nmol/mg protein, respectively, P<0.05), while serum levels of aminotransferases were unaltered. The ability of SNAC in preventing lipid peroxidation was confirmed in in vitro experiments using LA and LDL as model substrates. Oral administration of SNAC prevents the onset of NAFLD in Wistar rats fed with choline-deficient diet. This effect is correlated with the ability of SNAC to block the propagation of lipid peroxidation in vitro and in vitro.

Oxidative modifications of LDL increase its binding to extracellular matrix from human aortic intima: influence of lesion development, lipoprotein lipase and calcium.

Retention of atherogenic lipoproteins in the arterial intima by extracellular matrix (ECM) is assumed to occur during early atherogenesis and its further development. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) trapped in the intima may undergo oxidative modifications, which initiate a chain reaction in atherogenesis. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) has been found to mediate the binding of native and oxidized LDL to ECM produced by cultured cells and to contribute to foam cell formation by mildly oxidized LDL. In this study ECM, isolated from human aortic intima with different atherosclerotic lesions, was used for the first time to measure the binding to it in vitro of native and differently oxidized 125I-LDL. Oxidation of 125I-LDL increased its binding to the ECM, which was most prominent with the material isolated from intima at the early stage of atherogenesis. With the progression of atherosclerosis, the ability of the isolated intimal ECM to bind native and oxidized 125I-LDL decreased, and strongly oxidized 125I-LDL decreased more than native and moderately oxidized 125I-LDL. LPL increased the binding of moderately oxidized 125I-LDL to the ECM more than native 125I-LDL, while it had only a small effect on strongly oxidized 125I-LDL. LPL-mediated binding of native and oxidized 125I-LDL decreased with the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Calcium ions also increased the binding of LDL to the ECM. This enhanced binding increased with the extent of LDL oxidation, especially at the early stage of atherogenesis, and decreased with lesion progression. These data suggest that the ability of ECM to retain LDL in arterial intima depends on LDL oxidation status and changes with the progression of atherogenesis. In addition, LPL and calcium ions may participate in the retention of LDL in vivo.

The effect of vitamin E, probucol, and lovastatin on oxidative status and aortic fatty lesions in hyperlipidemic-diabetic hamsters

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of premature atherosclerosis, which may be due in part to an increased rate of low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Previous studies have shown that vitamin E, probucol, and lovastatin can reduce the oxidative susceptibility of LDL in normoglycemic animal models; however, few studies have investigated this in conjunction with aortic fatty streak lesion formation in diabetic hyperlipidemic models. Forty-eight Syrian hamsters were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of low dose streptozotocin. Diabetic animals (12 animals/groups) received a high saturated fat and cholesterol diet for 12.5 weeks. At 2.5 week of dietary treatments, the diet was supplemented with either: (1) 500 IU/day vitamin E (D+E); (2) 1% probucol w/w of the diet (D+P); (3) 25 mg/kg lovastatin (D+L); or (4) diabetic control (D). An age-matched group of hamsters ( n=6) receiving the same diet but not made diabetic (ND) was used as control. At the end of the study, aortic arch foam cell-rich fatty streak lesion, plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL-C, triglycerides (TG), phospholipids, α-tocopherol, plasma lipid peroxide and the susceptibility of LDL to copper-catalyzed oxidation were determined. Diabetes increased plasma glucose, and when combined with an atherogenic diet resulted in a further increase of plasma lipids. Vitamin E, probucol, and lovastatin significantly reduced plasma TG in the diabetic hamsters fed the atherogenic diet. Vitamin E treatment increased TC, probucol reduced HDL-C without affecting TC; whereas lovastatin reduced TC and selectively decreased non-HDL-C, and significantly reduced fatty streak lesion formation in the aortic arch. While vitamin E and probucol were effective in reducing several indices of oxidative stress including plasma lipid peroxides, cholesterol oxidation products and in vitro LDL oxidation, they had no effect on fatty streak lesion formation. Our results indicate that the LDL in diabetic animals is more susceptible to oxidation than in non-diabetic hamsters and that not only vitamin E and probucol but also lovastatin provide antioxidant protection. It appears that in this combined model of diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, progression of fatty streak lesion formation is mainly associated with changes in TC and non-HDL-C as affected by lovastatin, and is less dependent on the extent of LDL oxidation, changes in plasma TG level and oxidative stress status.

Modification of low density lipoprotein potentiates its inhibitory effect on catecholamine secretion in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and lipoprotein(a) suppress catecholamine secretion in cultured adrenal medullary cells. Modification of LDL by oxidation or acetylation potentiates various atherogenic actions of LDL. In the present study, we investigated whether the modification of LDL influences catecholamine secretion in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells. The exposure of LDL to CuSO4 caused a time-dependent oxidation of LDL. Maximal oxidation of LDL was observed after exposure to CuSO4 for 24 h. Native LDL inhibited catecholamine secretion induced by carbachol to 68.5% of control. Oxidized LDL caused further inhibition of carbachol-evoked secretion to 37.6% of control. Acetylated LDL inhibited it to 41.0% of control. There was a good correlation between the extent of LDL oxidation and the inhibition of catecholamine secretion. These results suggest that oxidation or acetylation of LDL augments its inhibitory effect on the secretion of catecholamines. Since catecholamines are a risk factor of atherosclerosis, the inhibitory effect by such modified LDL may be a mechanism inhibiting atherosclerotic progression.

Oxidized LDL promotes vascular endothelial cell pinocytosis via a prooxidation mechanism.

Human low density lipoprotein (LDL) is prepared in the presence of antioxidants and is oxidized to different levels (measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) with copper ion. The effects of unoxidized LDL and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) on stress fiber formation, cell membrane ruffling, and pinocytosis (measured by [14C]sucrose uptake) in cultured human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (EC) are compared. We show that at a concentration range of 100 to 200 microg cholesterol/ml, both unoxidized LDL and ox-LDL promote EC elongation and stress fiber formation, but the effect by the latter is more prominent when compared at the same dose range. In addition, ox-LDL also induces EC membrane ruffling and promotes pinocytosis. These effects are positively correlated with the extent of LDL oxidation and depend on the dose of ox-LDL. Ox-LDL-promoted membrane ruffling and pinocytosis are effectively blocked by brief preexposure of the cells to antioxidants. In contrast, stress fiber formation is not affected by antioxidant pretreatment. Although unoxidized LDL also promotes [14C]sucrose uptake, it is less potent than ox-LDL and significantly higher concentrations are required to produce a detectable effect. Unlike ox-LDL, unoxidized LDL-enhanced pinocytosis is not accompanied by the appearance of membrane ruffling; therefore, they may act via different mechanisms. Elevated pinocytosis may increase transcytotic activity of the endothelium, leading to an increased influx of plasma components such as LDL into the subendothelial space.

Licorice extract and its major polyphenol glabridin protect low-density lipoprotein against lipid peroxidation: in vitro and ex vivo studies in humans and in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Polyphenolic flavonoids are powerful antioxidants. In the present study we investigated the antioxidative activity against low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation of a not yet studied subclass of polyphenols, the isoflavans, which are present in licorice alcoholic extract. The study was performed in humans as well as in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (E zero), because their LDL is highly susceptible to oxidation. LDL oxidation was induced by incubating it with copper ions as well as with the aqueous or lipid-soluble free radical generators 2,2'-azobis'2-amidino propane hydrochloride (AAPH) and 2,2'-azobis 2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile (AMVN), respectively. The extent of LDL oxidation was determined by measuring the formation of conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric acid reactive-substances (TBARS), and lipid peroxides. By all methods in human studies, licorice ethanolic extract as well as a pure material, which was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy as the isoflavan glabridin, were shown to inhibit LDL oxidation by a mechanism involving scavenging of free radicals. In an ex vivo study, LDL isolated from the plasma of 10 normolipidemic subjects who were orally supplemented for 2 wk with 100 mg licorice/d was more resistant to oxidation than was LDL isolated before licorice supplementation. Dietary supplementation of each E zero mouse with licorice (200 micrograms/d) or pure glabridin (20 micrograms/d) for 6 wk resulted in a substantial reduction in the susceptibility of their LDL to oxidation along with a reduction in the atherosclerotic lesion area. These results could be related to the absorption and binding of glabridin to the LDL particle and subsequent protection of the LDL from oxidation by multiple modes as shown in humans and in E zero mice.

Effect of lipid transfer activity and lipolysis on low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidizability: evidence for lipolysis-generated non-esterified fatty acids as inhibitors of LDL oxidation

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) were modified in vitro in the presence of lipid transfer activity and lipolysis, which induced alterations in the size and lipid composition of LDL particles but not in their antioxidant content. Subsequently, modified LDL were oxidized with copper sulfate and the extent of LDL oxidation was evaluated. Lipid transfer activity alone, or in combination with lipolysis, led to a significant reduction of LDL oxidability as compared with starting homologous LDL. Furthermore, the combined effect of lipid transfers and lipolysis reduced LDL oxidability to a significantly greater extent than did lipid transfers alone. Consistent results were obtained by measuring either the formation of lipid peroxides, the appearance of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), the disappearance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), or the generation of cholesterol oxides. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) arose as putative candidates in reducing oxidation susceptibility of LDL: NEFA-containing LDL were less oxidizable; the enrichment of LDL with either oleic acid or linoleic acid reduced significantly their oxidability; the oxidation susceptibility of either in vitro modified LDL or LDL isolated from normal or analbuminemic patients significantly increased after reduction of their NEFA content with fatty acid-poor albumin. After NEFA depletion, small-sized LDL resulting from the combined effects of lipid transfer and triglyceride hydrolysis activities became more oxidizable than large-sized LDL treated with lipid transfer activity alone. In addition, the PUFA to total fatty acid ratio and the oxidability of modified LDL varied accordingly after NEFA depletion, showing that in the present study not only lipoprotein-bound NEFA but also the total fatty acid composition of LDL could account for alterations in their oxidability.

Oxidized LDL potentiates LPS-induced transcription of the chemokine KC gene.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been shown to modulate the expression of multiple gene products associated with inflammation in several different cell types including mononuclear phagocytes. The reported effects vary dramatically, however, depending upon cell type, stimulus, and degree of LDL oxidation. In the present report, oxidized LDL has been found to markedly potentiate expression of the KC chemokine gene in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Pretreatment of elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages with oxidized LDL but not native LDL produced a significant enhancement of LPS-induced KC mRNA expression, whereas levels of IP-10 mRNA, another CXC chemokine, were altered in opposite fashion. The alteration in KC mRNA expression was dependent upon the dose, exposure time, and extent of LDL oxidation. Oxidized LDL selectively prolonged the expression of KC mRNA. Surprisingly this was not a consequence of altered mRNA stability, but rather of prolonged transcription. These effects on KC gene transcription were in marked contrast to previous reports demonstrating inhibitory effects of oxidized LDL on LPS-induced macrophage chemokine expression. Thus extensively oxidized LDL acts on the transcriptional control process in macrophages in both positive and negative fashion on separate members of the same gene family.

Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein by human monocyte-macrophages results in toxicity to the oxidising culture.

Human monocyte-macrophage cultures were exposed to native low density lipoprotein (LDL) for up to 24 h in Ham's F10 medium and the extent of cell-mediated LDL oxidation was determined by measurement of electrophoretic mobility on agarose gels and measurement of lipids and oxidised lipids (including 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol) by GC. After an initial lag phase, which varied from 2-8 h, there was a steady increase in oxidation over 24 h. No-cell control incubations showed minimal increases in oxidation over 24 h. Significant toxicity, measured as release of radioactivity from macrophages pre-loaded with tritiated adenine, was observed in the cells when they oxidised LDL and the extent of radioactivity release correlated closely with the extent of LDL oxidation. Inhibition of oxidation using alpha-tocopherol or probucol reduced toxicity within the oxidising culture. This self-inflicted toxicity may help to explain the origin and enlargement of the lipid core of advanced atherosclerotic lesions.

Apolipoprotein B-Bound Lipids as a Marker for Evaluation of Low Density Lipoprotein Oxidation in Vivo

It has been generally accepted that oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) plays an important role in atherogenesis. However, oxidized LDL was not detected in patients′ blood and the extent of LDL oxidation in vivo is unknown. We have suggested that LDL oxidation may lead to a formation of covalent links between lipids and apolipoprotein B. LDL were oxidized by copper ions, 2,2′-azobis-(2-aminopropane hydrochloride), sodium hypochlorite or by incubation with macrophages. Oxidized LDL were delipidated by repeated extraction with organic solvents. After mild alkaline hydrolysis protein-bound sterols were identified colorimetrically and by high-performance liquid chromatography. Protein-bound phospholipid residues were detected by nuclear magnetic resonance and colorimetric determination of phosphate. Using radiolabeled lipids it was also shown that free and esterified cholesterol, phospholipids, as well as triglyceride and free fatty acid residues can form covalent bonds with apolipoprotein B. The ability of lipids to bind to apolipoprotein B correlates with the degree of unsaturation of their fatty acids and depends on the nature of polar head of phospholipids. When LDL were oxidized with copper ions, the content of protein-bound lipids increased gradually up to 24 h of incubation, while the levels of conjugated dienes, hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances changed in varying manners. It has been demonstrated that the content of protein-bound sterols in multiple-modified desialylated LDL of patients with coronary atherosclerosis is higher than that in native LDL. Our results suggest that the level of protein-bound lipids may be a marker of LDL oxidation and can be used to evaluate the association of lipoprotein oxidation and atherogenesis.

Oxidation of low-density lipoproteins: effect of antioxidant content, fatty acid composition and intrinsic phospholipase activity on susceptibility to metal ion-induced oxidation

The oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may play an important role in atherogenesis. Our understanding of the mechanism of LDL oxidation and the factors that determine its susceptibility to oxidation is still incomplete. We have isolated LDL from 45 healthy individuals and studied the relationship between LDL fatty acid, vitamin E and β-carotene composition, intrinsic phospholipase A 2-like activity and parameters of LDL oxidation. LDL was exposed to a copper ion-dependent oxidising system and the kinetics of oxidation studied by monitoring formation of fatty acid conjugated dienes. The length of the lag phase of inhibited lipid peroxidation was measured as well as the rate of lipid peroxidation during the propagation phase. There was no significant correlation between LDL antioxidant vitamin or fatty acid composition and lag time to LDL oxidation. Oleic acid was negatively correlated with the rate of LDL oxidation ( r = −0.41, P < 0.01) whilst linoleic acid was significantly correlated with the extent of LDL oxidation measured by the production of total dienes ( r = 0.34, P < 0.05). Interestingly, LDL vitamin E content was positively correlated with both the rate ( r = 0.28, P < 0.05) and extent of LDL oxidation ( r = 0.43, P < 0.01). LDL isolated from this group of subjects showed significant intrinsic phospholipase-like activity. The phospholipase activity, whilst not correlated with lag time, was significantly correlated with both rate ( r = 0.43, P < 0.01) and total diene production ( r = 0.44, P < 0.01) of LDL oxidation. We conclude that antioxidant content, fatty acid composition and intrinsic phospholipase activity have little influence on the lag time of Cu-induced LDL oxidation. These components do however, significantly influence both the rate and extent of LDL oxidation, with increased vitamin E, linoleic acid content and phospholipase activity associated with faster and more extensive oxidation. The possible pro-oxidant effect of vitamin E has interesting implications for the postulated ‘protective’ effects of vitamin E on atherogenesis.

Copper-induced and photosensitive oxidation of serum low-density lipoprotein. The relation to cholesterol level and inter-species differences

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with a higher risk for developing atherosclerotic coronary heart disease. During the past few years, evidence has been increasing that modification of lipoproteins, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, might be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. To compare these factors metal-dependent and -independent photodynamic methods were used for the screening of several indexes of LDL oxidation. Lipid oxidation has been continuously monitored by the increase of conjugated dienes and verified by iodometric and thiobarbituric reaction assay. A close association between LDL cholesterol concentration (and/or serum cholesterol concentration) and LDL maximum diene formation was found using both methods and different sources of sera. With copper-induced oxidation, highly significant correlation coefficient r = 0.86, and with photo-sensitive oxidation r = 0.84 were noted. The data standardized to protein unit showed a reduced but still significant correlation. The extent of LDL oxidation was also closely related to preformed dienes, i.e., to the data obtained before the start of oxidation ( r = 0.91). The rate of LDL oxidation was positively linked to LDL cholesterol using both oxidation methods but with photo-sensitive oxidation the rate was much higher. The lag time was inversely related to LDL cholesterol (standardized data) with Cu 2+ induced oxidation but it was absent in the photosensitive oxidation. In animals known to be resistant to spontaneous atherosclerosis (rats, guinea pigs) a prolonged lag time, markedly reduced diene formation and lower LDL cholesterol in LDL in parallel was demonstrated. The fact that, using various methods (epidemiology, arteriography, autopsy), the cholesterol level in men was found positively linked to atherosclerosis development on the one hand, and positively associated to oxidation of human LDL on the other, strongly supports the concept on the important role of LDL oxidative modification in this pathological process.

The chemiluminescence assay of lipid peroxidation products in human blood plasma lipoproteins.

A chemiluminescence (CL) flash kinetics on the addition of Fe2+ ions into oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) suspension has been studied. LDL oxidation was carried out at 37 degrees C without and in the presence of 5 or 50 microM of Cu2+. It has been found that under certain experimental conditions (the addition of excess iron ions, more than 1 mM) the amplitude of CL flash depended almost linearly (1) on the concentration of oxidized LDL and (2) on the extent of LDL oxidation measured as diene conjugates (DC) and 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) accumulation. The corresponding correlation coefficients were: for TBARS -0.94 and for DC -0.97, in the case of LDL autooxidation; 0.72 and 0.98, in the case of copper-induced LDL oxidation. A sensitivity of the CL method was shown to be significantly enhanced (by more than two orders) in the presence of CL sensitizer--2,3,5,6-1H,4H-tetrahydro-9-(2'-benzoimidazolyl)-qui nolizin-(9,9a,1- gh)coumarin.

Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced interleukin-1 beta mRNA expression in mouse macrophages by oxidized low density lipoprotein.

Recent studies have demonstrated the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for several cytokines within atherosclerotic arteries. Since cytokines have been shown to modulate functions of cultured arterial wall cells in a manner that could influence atherogenesis, this suggests that factors that modulate cytokine production would influence the atherosclerotic process. To examine whether lipoproteins can modulate cytokine production, the effect of lipoproteins on mouse macrophage interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) mRNA expression was examined by dot blot and Northern blot analyses. Low density lipoprotein (LDL), acetylated-LDL, or malondialdehyde-LDL did not induce IL-1 beta mRNA expression or affect the expression in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Similarly, copper ion-oxidized LDL did not stimulate the production of IL-1 beta mRNA. However, oxidized LDL inhibited the LPS-induced expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner with a maximum inhibition (greater than 90%) observed after a 2.5 h preincubation with 25 micrograms protein/ml. These conditions did not affect protein synthesis or phagocytosis and the inhibition was partially reversible after 24 h, which together suggest that the inhibition was not due to cell death. An inhibition of IL-1 alpha and IL-6 mRNA expression was also observed while there was no change in gamma-actin mRNA levels. The level of inhibition of IL-1 beta mRNA was dependent upon the extent of LDL oxidation, but did not correlate with recognition by the scavenger receptor. A non-receptor pathway was supported by two lines of evidence: 1) the inhibition could be reproduced with a lipid extract, and 2) oxidized LDL also inhibited scavenger receptor negative THP-1 cell IL-1 beta mRNA expression. Finally, oxidized LDL had no effect on the turnover of IL-1 beta mRNA, suggesting that the decreased accumulation of IL-1 beta mRNA is due to a decrease in gene transcription. Together these studies suggest that as macrophages become foam cells their immune responsiveness is attenuated.