Background: Cardiovascular diseases are accompanied by the presence of active oxygen species and organic free radical generation. The aim of this study was to examine the possibility of using malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) analyses as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.
Design and methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study of a random sample of the male population of Tallinn aged 20-64 was carried out in 2007-2008. A total of 413 subjects were included in the study. The screening procedure included standard epidemiological methods. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring the kinetics of glutathione oxidation and the level of oxidized of MDA-modified LDL.
Results: A strong positive correlation between levels of MDA-modified LDL- and total cholesterol was indicated, as well as LDL-cholesterol in blood of patients with postinfarct cardiosclerosis (r=0.82 and r=0.83, respectively, p<0.05). Hypercholesterolemia and hyperglyceridemia were accompanied by significant increase in oxidized LDL plasma level.
Conclusion: MDA-modified LDL estimation has a diagnostic accuracy and may be used as an independent biochemical marker for atherosclerosis.