The Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein/Beta 2-Glycoprotein I Complex Is Associated With Abdominal Obesity In Healthy Middle-Aged Men

Background/Aims: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in complex with beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2GPI) has been associated with autoimmune diseases, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease and coronary atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to determine whether plasma levels of oxLDL/beta 2GPI complexes are associated with insulin resistance, inflammation and markers of endothelial damage in obese middle-aged men and, if so, whether oxLDL/beta 2GPI correlates better with insulin resistance parameters than oxLDL, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) or thioredoxin. Methods:A total of 72 healthy men were recruited (41 obese and 31 nonobese individuals). Waist circumference >94 cm was used as the criterion for abdominal obesity. Results: The obese men demonstrated higher oxLDL/beta 2GPI levels (p<0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (p<0.01) and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (p<0.01). oxLDL/beta 2GPI correlated with more insulin resistance parameters compared to AOPP, thioredoxin or oxLDL. Furthermore, oxLDL/beta 2GPI was associated with plasminogen activator inhibitor-I (PAI-I; r = 0.365, p<0.001) and negatively with interleukin-8 (r = -0.297, p<0.05). Conclusions: In summary, oxLDL/beta 2GPI reflects the criterion for abdominal obesity and markers of insulin resistance in our study. The independent positive correlation with PAI-1 indicates that oxLDL/beta 2GPI may serve as an early marker of low-grade inflammation and atherosclerosis initiation. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel