Oxidants, Antioxidants And Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

The major causes of death in developed count ries such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and canc er show markedly different incidence rates in diff erent countries’-3. These differences seem to depend on the varied dietary patterns in Europe but the class ic lipid hypothesis alone fails to explain the differi ng rates of coronary artery disease (CAD)’5.Experimental studies indicate that the oxidized form of LDL (ox-LDL) is more atherogenic than native LDL. The amount of ox-LDL is the result of the balance between the amount of oxidative stress and the antioxidant capacity6. The susceptibility of LDL particles to oxidation is related to their fatty acid composition: polyunsaturated fatty acids increase susceptibility to oxidation compared with monounsaturated fatty acids.