Influence of hypercholesterolemia on serum antibodies against oxidized LDL in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL; oxLDL) appears to play a key role in the early development of atherosclerosis. Increased serum antibodies against the oxLDL (anti-oxLDL antibodies) have been found in adults with atherosclerotic disease, as well as in healthy adults. The clinical significance and its precise role (atherogenic or atheroprotective), however, have not yet been clarified. This aim of this study was therefore to evaluate anti-oxLDL antibodies in healthy children and adolescents with and without hypercholesterolemia.

METHODS: The study involved 312 subjects, aged 4-18 years, 141 with LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥130 mg/dL and 171 with acceptable LDL-C (<110 mg/dL). Total anti-oxLDL antibodies, total cholesterol, LDL-C and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A1 and B, lipoprotein (a) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured in fasting serum. The anti-oxLDL antibodies were measured on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: Anti-oxLDL antibodies were similar in the hypercholesterolemia and non-hypercholesterolemia groups. Girls had significantly higher anti-oxLDL antibodies compared with boys. There was no significant correlation of antibodies with age or body mass index. Increased apolipoprotein B 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 risk for atherosclerosis or for future cardiovascular disease.