Lipid Peroxidation, Antioxidant Defences and Red-Cell Membrane Changes in Relation to Coronary Risk Index and Symptomatic Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

Objective: To establish the normal lipoprotein profile in the population and identify the early warning signs of coronary heart disease (CHD). Design: Random blood sampling of healthy adults and patients with symptomatic CHD including that complicated with acute myocardial infarction. Methods: Plasma lipids, lipoproteins, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and scavengers, red-cell membrane lipids and glycoproteins were assayed. Results and conclusion: The normal levels of plasma lipids and lipoproteins were established. Levels of plasma free fatty acids, fibrinogen, white blood cell counts, echinocytes, red-cell membrane lipids and protein-bound carbohydrate components are significantly higher in healthy subjects with coronary risk index above 4.5 than they are in normal individuals. Antioxidant defences appear to be the distinguishing factor, remaining higher in normal individuals and thus keeping lipid peroxidation under control. In symptomatic CHD, antioxidant defences are significantly lowered.

Emerging Noninvasive Biochemical Measures to Predict Cardiovascular Risk

“…37 Studies of the red blood cell membrane fatty acid and lipid composition can gather important information on the antioxidant defenses. 38,39 Changes in red blood cell membrane fatty acid and lipid composition reflect dietary fat intake, 40 and are associated with modifications in sodium-lithium countertransport, 41 an independent predictor of onset of hypertension in normotensive individuals. 42…”

Cardioprotective and Other Beneficial Effects of Some Indian Medicinal Plants

“…Antioxidants remain higher in normal subjects and keep lipid peroxidation (LP) under control. In symptomatic CHD, antioxidant levels are significantly lowered [18]. Hence, increased intake of antioxidants, especially lipid-soluble and chain-breaking antioxidants that accumulate in lipoproteins, might be expected to have beneficial effects [19].…”