Relationship between reactive oxygen metabolites and carotid intima-media thickness in subjects with hypercholesterolemia.

OBJECTIVE

It was the aim of this study to investigate whether there is any relationship between oxidative stress, as assessed by the diacron reactive oxygen metabolite (d-ROM) test, and carotid atherosclerosis among hypercholesterolemic patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A well-defined group of patients with type II hypercholesterolemia (n = 81, mean age 59 years) was studied to observe the correlation between the levels of serum d-ROMs and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) using B-mode ultrasound, in relation to the traditional atherosclerotic risk factors (age, sex, smoking, body mass index, blood pressure, glucose and lipid panels).

RESULTS

The mean level in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in this population was 4.45 mmol/l, d-ROMs were 323.2 Carr U, and IMT was 0.91 mm. A multiple regression analysis revealed a positive and significant correlation between IMT and d-ROMs (β = 0.27, p < 0.05), along with age and LDL-C.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the increased oxidative stress levels using the d-ROM test, independent of aging and increased LDL-C levels, may be associated with carotid atherosclerosis even in hypercholesterolemic patients.