OxLDL

Overview:

LDL particles that become trapped in an artery wall can be chemically modified by oxidation. Oxidized LDL behaves differently from ordinary LDL: immune cells take it up readily and become the foam cells that make up early plaque, and it also provokes further inflammation. Measuring it is intended to capture that process rather than the amount of LDL present. It is used as an additional marker where standard lipids and overall risk assessment leave uncertainty. Its role is not as well established as apolipoprotein B or lipoprotein(a), and it is interpreted alongside them rather than instead of them.

Categories:

Heart, Inflammation

Biomarkers:

1 biomarker