ISMJ

Background: Although the association between oxidized LDL particles and cardiovascular diseases has been shown in different studies, the role of oxidized LDL for cardiovascular diseases in menopause is very limited. The main aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between MDA-oxidised LDL, antibodies against oxidized LDL and ischemic heart disease or myocardial infarction among postmenopausal women.

Materials and methods: A total of 378 healthy, postmenopausal women were randomly selected from 13 clusters in the port city of Bushehr, Iran. Serum oxidized LDL and MDA-oxidised LDL levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods.   The prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) was assessed using the Minnesota Code with a 12-lead resting electrocardiogram (EKG). The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), Adult Treatment Panel III was used to assign the subjects to different levels of cardiovascular risk for lipid profile.

Results: There was a significant difference for circulating oxidized LDL between subjects who had high LDL-cholesterol or high total cholesterol levels with normal postmenopausal women (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was found for oxidized LDL and anti oxidized LDL levels among subjects with the other cardiovascular risk factors.  EKG with evidence of IHD (IHD EKG) was not associated with oxidized LDL and anti oxidized LDL levels. But a significant association was found between myocardial infarction and circulating oxidized LDL even after adjustments were made for age, body mass index, smoking and serum cholesterol levels in multiple logistic regression analyses (OR:3.11, CI=1.24-7.80, p=0.016).

Conclusion: Although no relationship was found between IHD EKG and oxidized LDL, the significant association between myocardial infarction and circulating oxidized LDL may suggest a potential pathogenesis role for oxidized LDL in the development of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.