Effects of mildly oxidized low-density lipoprotein on endothelial cell function

Abstract

Mildly oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may have very different effects on cells to those of highly oxidized LDL, which may be overtly toxic. Mildly oxidized LDL is a potent inducer of the secretion of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 and colony-stimulating factors by endothelial cells in culture and stimulates monocyte binding to them. It may possibly be formed in the normal arterial wall and lead to the formation of very early atherosclerotic lesions, whereas highly oxidized LDL may be formed later and lead to lesion progression.