Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein as an Emerging Biomarker in Atherosclerosis: Synthesis and Clinical Implications in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18375365Keywords:
Atherosclerosis, Biomarker, Cardiovascular Risk, Inflammation, Lipid Peroxidation, Metabolic Disorders, Oxidized LDL, Plaque InstabilityAbstract
Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein is a key process in the onset and development of atherosclerosis and associated cardiometabolic diseases. Unlike LDL cholesterol, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) is a biologically active mediator that induces endothelial dysfunction, foam cell formation, chronic vascular inflammation, plaque progression and plaque destabilization. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the molecular biology of oxLDL, the molecular pathways controlling formation of oxLDL, and multiple pathogenic effects of oxLDL on the vascular wall. We critically analyse current methods for the measurement of oxLDL, emphasizing their analytical strengths, limitations and problems associated with assay standardization. The clinical significance of oxLDL is reviewed in relation to major disease conditions, such as coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, stroke and peripheral arterial disease. Accumulating evidence shows that oxLDL is a source of prognostic information in addition to conventional lipid parameters and improves the cardiovascular risk stratification. Although there are still limits on routine clinical implementation, further improvements in assay technology and increasing mechanistic insight make oxLDL a promising next-generation biomarker for personalised cardiovascular prevention and therapeutic monitoring.
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