Anti-oxidized LDL antibody levels are reduced in women with hypertension

P>Background Previous studies have suggested that hypertension may be associated with increased oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Increased in vitro oxidizability of LDL or elevated titers of anti-oxidized LDL antibodies have been shown in subjects with essential hypertension. However, the relationship between oxidized LDL and hypertension is equivocal. We examined the association between hypertension and levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies in a group of women from the general population. Materials and methods The study included 619 women classified according to their blood pressure values. IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the women were classified as being above or below the 50th percentile. Results Hypertension was present in 54 center dot 3% of the women. These women had significantly lower levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies than the normotensive women (0 center dot 280 +/- 0 center dot 117 vs. 0 center dot 336 +/- 0 center dot 125, P < 0 center dot 001). Both systolic and the diastolic blood pressures showed a significant negative correlation with the levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies (r = -0 center dot 204, P < 0 center dot 001; r = -0 center dot 225, P < 0 center dot 001, respectively). Women with IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibody levels above the 50th percentile had a lower prevalence of hypertension than those with IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibody levels below the 50th percentile (40 center dot 2% vs. 59 center dot 8%) (P < 0 center dot 001). Conclusions Women with hypertension had lower levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies than normotensive women.