Endogenous malondialdehyde and diene conjugate levels were increased in hypercholesterolemic
subjects with serum cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dl as compared to normocholesterolemic
subjects (below 20 mg/dl). A decrease in vitamin E/cholesterol and vitamin C/cholesterol
ratios was observed in serum of hypercholesterolemic individuals. However, the susceptibility
of serum to copper-induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity were found
unchanged. The present study indicates that hypercholesterolemic subjects have a high
level of circulating lipid peroxides and that a higher tendency towards atherosclerosis
in these subjects may be related to increased baseline levels of serum lipid peroxides.
Hypercholesterolemia - Lipid Peroxidation - Antioxidant Activity - Vitamin E - Vitamin
C - Serum
