Advanced Glycation and Oxidation Products in Patients with Atherosclerosis

Overview

Background.
Oxidative stress can potentiate atherogenesis via modification of biological structures and formation of new compounds, e.g. advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP). The aim of the study was to determine AGEs and AOPP in patients with atherosclerosis, effect of statin therapy and relationship to parameters of lipid metabolism. 

Methods and Results.
AGEs (carboxymethyllysine – ELISA and fluorescent AGEs – spectrofluorimetry) and AOPP (spectrophotometry) were assessed in 42 patients with atherosclerosis and 21 healthy controls. AGEs are significantly elevated in patients with atherosclerosis in comparison with healthy subjects (carboxymethyllysine 9.02±1.66 μg/g prot. vs 7.52±1.18 μg/g prot., p<0.001, fluorescent AGEs 4.39x103±1.15x103 AU/g prot. vs 3.78x103±0.52x103 AU/g prot., p<0.001). Mean AOPP concentrations are also slightly higher, but this elevation is not quite significant (95.0±42.9 μmol/l vs 79.7±28.2 μmol/l, p=0.096). AGEs and AOPP correlate significantly with each other and with selected lipids. Patients with atherosclerosis treated with statins have slightly lower CML, AGEs and AOPP (it did not reach the statistical significance). 

Conclusions.
Advanced glycoxidation products are elevated in patients with atherosclerosis and are related to parameters of lipid metabolism. Glycoxidation might be possibly therapeutically influenced by statins; however, further clinical studies are required to confirm this hypothesis. 

Key words:
atherosclerosis, oxidative stress, advanced glycation end products, advanced oxidation protein products, AGEs, AOPP, carboxymethyllysine, statin.