Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the concentration of anti-oxidized low-density lipoprotein (anti-oxLDL) antibodies and antibodies against oxLDL-beta2GPI (oxLDL-beta 2 glycoprotein I) complexes in the serum of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Correlations between clinical and laboratory factors and the intima media thickness (IMT) were also investigated.
Material and methods: The study included 16 patients (14 females, 2 males) with an established diagnosis of SLE. The mean disease duration was 6.3 years (range: 2-23 years). Thirteen age-matched healthy volunteers comprised the control group. IMT, the concentration of anti-oxLDL and anti-oxLDL-beta2GPI antibodies and lipid profile were assesed. Data concerning other cardiovascular risk factors were also collected.
Results: In the SLE group the intima media was significantly thicker than in control group. In the SLE group a statistically significant positive correlation was noted between age and mean IMT. Immunological assays revealed elevated serum concentration of anti-oxLDL antibodies in the SLE group; serum concentration of IgG anti-oxLDL-beta2GPI antibodies and IgM anti-oxLDL-beta2GPI antibodies were also elevated in the SLE group compared to the controls. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between LDL concentration and anti-oxLDL antibody concentration in the SLE group.
Conclusions: The study findings support the thesis that cardiovasular risk is significantly higher in SLE patients. Elevated concentrations of anti-oxLDL antibodies, IgG anti-oxLDL-beta2GPI antibodies and IgM anti-oxLDL-beta2GPI antibodies were detected in the SLE group, which may contribute to the elevated cardiovascular risk in SLE patients.