Oxidative Modification of Lipoproteins: A Potential Role of Oxidized Small dense LDL in Enhanced Atherogenicity

Abstract

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a multifaceted inflammatory syndrome of the arterial wall to which number of mediators have been implicated in lesion progression. Triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins consist of the large diversity of lipoprotein particles that fluctuate in density, size, and apolipoprotein composition. Two foremost phenotypes, on basis of size, chemical configuration, and density, of low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) have been recognized i.e., pattern A, having LDL diameter greater than 25.5nm (large buoyant LDL or lb-LDL) and pattern B, having LDL diameter less than or equal to 25.5nm (small-dense LDL or sd-LDL). Small-dense low-density-lipoprotein (sd-LDL) particles are produced by potential intravascular hydrolysis of TG-rich VLDL particles via lipoprotein lipases (LPLs), hepatic lipases (HLs) and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP). sd-LDL is more atherogenic due to its smaller size, increased penetration into the arterial wall, extended plasma half-life, lesser binding affinity for LDL receptors (LDL-R) as well as lower resistance to oxidative stress when equated with lb-LDL. The higher atherogenic potential of sd-LDL is due to its enhanced susceptibility to oxidation, owing to high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), low cholesterol and Apoprotein B (ApoB) content. An enhanced understanding of sd-LDL metabolism at the molecular level, transport and clearance may result in the development of sd-LDL as an independent predictive marker for AS events and may be used to maintain cholesterol homeostasis and prevent the succession of AS.