BACKGROUND:
The relationship between autoantibodies against human oxidized low-density lipoprotein (anti-oxLDL) and the progression of atherosclerotic diseases is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum anti-oxLDL titers and the severity and extent of coronary stenotic lesions.

METHODS:
We measured the titers of IgG anti-oxLDL by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 154 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected coronary heart disease (CHD). The severity and extent of coronary stenotic lesions were evaluated on coronary angiography findings by Gensini score.

RESULTS:
The anti-oxLDL titers were significantly lower in 117 patients with CHD than those in 37 controls (p<0.01). The serum anti-oxLDL titers were significantly correlated to serum levels of globulin (r = 0.405), conjugated bilirubin (r = 0.280), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (r = 0.238), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r = -0.267), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (r = -0.230), triglyceride (r = -0.207), advanced glycation end products (AGEs) (r = -0.200), and malondialdehyde (r = -0.165). However, only HDL cholesterol and AGEs remained independent predictors of the anti-oxLDL titers after adjusting for confounders. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the anti-oxLDL titers, as well as serum levels of hs-CRP, fasting glucose, and albumin, were significantly associated with Gensini scores.

CONCLUSIONS:
Titers of anti-oxLDL are inversely associated with complicated proatherogenic metabolic risk factors, and the severity of coronary stenotic lesions calculated by Gensini scores, supporting a protective role for anti-oxLDL against the progression of atherosclerosis.