Oxidative stress in hypercholesterolemia and its association with Ala16Val superoxide dismutase gene polymorphism

Objectives: To investigate the role of the oxidative stress and the antioxidant system as well as the influence of the manganese superoxide dismutase (Ala16Val) polymorphism on hypercholesterolemia. Design and methods: Levels of glucose, lipid, high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), carbonyl protein, thiols, reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and vitamin C, vitamin E, as well as the presence of the manganese superoxide dismutase (Ala16Val) polymorphism were determined in 40 subjects with hypercholesterolemia and 40 controls. Results: Lipid profile, hs-CRP, glucose, TBARS, carbonyl protein, CAT, and vitamin E were significantly higher in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. In contrast, GSH and SOD were lower. TBARS, carbonyl protein, thiols, CAT, and vitamin E were significantly higher in hypercholesterolemic subjects with VV genotype for MnSOD, while GSH, SOD, and vitamin C were lower in these subjects. Conclusions: We suggest an association between the genotypes of MnSOD, hypercholesterolemia, and oxidative stress biomarkers. (C) 2010 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.