Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), lipids and inflammation biomarkers in patients with hypercholesterolemia, and the possible involvement of IMA in atheromatous plaque development and oxidative stress.
Design and methods: Glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), ox-LDL autoantibodies, high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), and IMA were measured in 37 subjects with hypercholesterolemia and 37 controls.
Results: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, ox-LDL, ox-LDL autoantibodies, hs-CRP, and IMA were higher in the hypercholesterolemia group, and HDL cholesterol levels were lower in this group. We observed significant correlations between IMA and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, ox-LDL antibodies, and hs-CRP levels. Significant correlations were also observed between hs-CRP and total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, ox-LDL, ox-LDL autoantibodies, and triglycerides.
Conclusions: Hypercholesterolemia is associated with an increase in inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and it also reduces the capacity of albumin to bind cobalt owing to ischemia, resulting in an increased IMA. IMA formation appears to be associated with oxidative stress and atheromatous plaque development.