Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) are markers of oxidative stress and mediators of inflammation. Increased arterial stiffness is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between an indirect marker of arterial stiffness and the AOPP level in apparently healthy individuals.
Methods and results: Arterial stiffness was estimated with the use of the stiffness index (SI(DVP)) which significantly correlated with age, mean blood pressure, body fat content and AOPP. The SI(DVP) was associated with AOPP concentration in both single (R = 0.22, p = 0.03) and multiple regression models adjusted for age, sex, mean blood pressure and body fat content (R(2) = 42%, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions: The AOPP concentration is elevated in healthy people with increased values of stiffness index. This finding supports the concept that oxidative stress may contribute to arterial stiffening in humans.