A Role for Oxidized Phospholipids in Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the vessel wall involving lipid accumulation, chronic inflammation, cell death, and thrombosis that causes heart disease and stroke. Although elevated cholesterol levels are a recognized risk factor for atherosclerosis, a growing number of studies suggest that oxidized phospholipids may also play an important role in this condition.^1,2 Phospholipids, essential components of lipoproteins and cell membranes, are composed of fatty acids bound to a glycerol backbone containing a polar head group. They are susceptible to free-radical or enzymatic oxidation by myeloperoxidase, lipoxygenase, and other enzymes that are present in the vessel wall. The addition of . . .