Oxidized LDL and antioxidants.

Several studies have shown that the oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) may promote fatty-streak formation, the early lesion of atherosclerosis. Epidemiologic data suggest that decreased levels of micronutrient antioxidants are associated with an increased frequency of cardiovascular disease. Micronutrients that can act as antioxidants--ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and beta-carotene--have been shown to prevent LDL oxidation in vitro and retard the progression of atherosclerosis in animal models. In addition, supplementation of human subjects with these compounds have been shown to increase the resistance of their LDL to oxidation without producing side effects. Thus, these antioxidant micronutrients have the potential to become an additional treatment modality in the therapeutic arsenal against atherosclerosis.