The following article in the April 18, 2008 issue of Circulation describes oxLDL’s key role in atherosclerosis versus total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. The study used apolipoprotein E-deficient knockout mice. When fed a high fat diet their cholesterol increases substantially and, as a consequence, plaque lesions are formed rather rapidly. Next, the research team injected a receptor into the liver to reduce circulating oxLDL, and the lesions stabilized. The findings are summarized below:
Mice with high cholesterol (T-Cholesterol, LDL, Triglycerides) and high oxidized LDL had “markedly increased” atherosclerotic lesions.
Mice with high cholesterol (T-Cholesterol, LDL, Triglycerides) and low oxidized LDL had “complete protection” of atherosclerotic progression.
Reduction of oxidized LDL resulted in “complete prevention of atherosclerotic progression despite the persistence of severe LDL hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia.”