Peroxidation status of erythrocytes and apolipoprotein B containing lipoproteins in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Erythrocyte diene conjugate levels and glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were found unchanged in hypercholesterolemic subjects with plasma cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dl as compared to normocholesterolemics (below 200 mg/dl). However, the susceptibility of VLDL + LDL, apolipoprotein B containing lipoproteins to copper-induced peroxidation and plasma endogenous malondialdehyde levels were increased in hypercholesterolemics. These results indicate that hypercholesterolemia is associated with increased susceptibility of VLDL + LDL to lipid peroxidation.