What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to explore how oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol relates to plaque morphology in diabetes patients.

February 8, 2026European Heart Journal0 citations

View Full Paper

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and plaque vulnerability in patients with diabetes mellitus

JGJun GotoYamagata University DKD KinoshitaYamagata University TMT MitoYamagata University

Key Points

The aim is to explore how oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol relates to plaque morphology in diabetes patients.
Conducted a single-center observational cohort study with 138 patients diagnosed with chronic coronary syndrome.
Measured malondialdehyde-modified LDL to assess levels of oxidized LDL.
Used optical coherence tomography to image plaques and calculate the lipid index.
Graded macrophage accumulation along the target plaques at 1-mm intervals.
Higher levels of oxidized LDL were linked to increased lipid index and macrophage grades in diabetes patients.
In diabetes patients, lipid index values were significantly higher across tertiles of oxidized LDL: 714 (low), 1226 (moderate), 2217 (high).
Macrophage grades were also higher in patients with elevated oxidized LDL levels: 2 (low), 7 (moderate), 13 (high).
No significant association was found between oxidized LDL and plaque measures in non-diabetic patients.

Abstract

Abstract Background The oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is critical in plaque inflammation and the subsequent vulnerable plaque formation. The inflammatory response to oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) is reportedly exacerbated under high glucose conditions. However, the relationship between ox-LDL and coronary plaque morphology in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) has not been systematically studied. Purpose To investigate the association between ox-LDL and plaque morphology assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods This was an observational, single-center cohort study. A total of 138 patients with chronic coronary syndrome who underwent OCT were analyzed. Malondialdehyde-modified LDL (MDA-LDL), a representative form of ox-LDL, was measured. Levels of ox-LDL were assessed using the ratio of MDA-LDL to LDL-C. Plaques at target lesions were imaged by OCT. The lipid index was calculated as the product of the mean lipid arc and length. The macrophage accumulation was graded at 1-mm intervals along the entire target plaques (0: no accumulation, 1: focal spotty, 2: clustered 1 quadrant, 3: ≥ 1 and 3 quadrants, and 4: ≥ 3 quadrants) and summed (macrophage grade). Results Patients were divided into three groups according to the tertiles of ox-LDL levels. Lipid index and macrophage grade were significantly higher in patients with higher levels of ox-LDL in patients with DM (low vs. moderate vs. high; lipid index: 714 vs. 1226 vs. 2217, p for trend = 0.040; macrophage grade: 2 vs. 7 vs. 13, p for trend = 0.009; Panel A)(Figure). In contrast, no association was found in non-DM patients (low vs. moderate vs. high; lipid index: 1109 vs. 1181 vs. 1436, p for trend = 0.633; macrophage grade: 8 vs. 5 vs. 8, p for trend = 0.748; Panel B). The levels of ox-LDL had a significant positive correlation with lipid index and macrophage grade after adjustment for confounders in patients with DM, but not in those without. Conclusions The ox-LDL levels were associated with plaque vulnerability only in DM patients.

AIに質問

Bookmark

View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Goto et al. (Sat,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/698828210fc35cd7a884753c https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf784.2048

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

AIに質問

Bookmark

View Full Paper