Antibody against oxidized low density lipoprotein may predict progression or regression of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to elucidate whether an antibody against oxidized low density lipoprotein (anti-Ox-LDL) could predict short-term coronary artery atherosclerotic lesion progression. BACKGROUND It is still controversial whether higher levels of the anti-Ox-LDL titer are associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. METHODS In 52 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty and six-month follow-up angiography, we performed quantitative coronary angiographic analysis of a lesion on a branch away from the intervention site vessel and assessed lesion progression or regression using the Progression-Regression score calculated as the baseline minimal lumen diameter minus the follow-up minimal lumen diameter. The serum anti-Ox-LDL titer was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method just before the initial angiography in all patients. RESULTS The anti-Ox-LDL titer was 16.6+/-1.5 AcU/ml in the progression group (Progression-Regression score >0.15 mm; n = 20), which was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the value of 9.5+/-1.2 in the regression group (< or =-0.15 mm; n = 14) and also higher (p < 0.01) than the value of 11.4+/-1.3 in the no-change group (-0.15 to 0.15 mm; n = 18). The Progression-Regression score was correlated with the antibody titer in all patients (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that the Progression-Regression score was independently correlated with the antibody titer (r = 0.44, p < 0.01) as well as lipoprotein (a) (r = 0.33, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Anti-Ox-LDL may be an independent predictor of coronary atherosclerotic lesion progression in the short term.