Association between Serum Ferritin and Circulating Oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Introduction: Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is believed to be a key factor inthe development of atherosclerosis. Oxidative modification of LDL is associated with increaseduptake of these particles by the macrophage receptors located in the arterial wallwhich in turns would lead to accumulation of lipids within the cytoplasm of the cell andformation of the foam cells, a perquisite step in the development of the atherosclerotic plaque.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between serum Ferritinand oxidized low-density lipoprotein in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Methods:The study group consisted of 160 males [mean age (47±7) years] with suspected CAD andno history of renal, liver and diabetic disorders undergoing coronary angiography. OxidizedLDL and Ferritin levels were measured by ELISA methods. Results: Results obtainedfrom the study revealed that the mean serum Ferritin concentration in our studypopulation was 149.77+119.93 ng/ml and that of OX-LDL was 8.86+5.67 IU/L. SerumFerritin levels were significantly correlated with both OX-LDL concentrations (p=0.001,r=0.24) and CAD SCORE (p=0.005, r=0.208) in study patients group; however no correlationwas detected between OX-LDL and CAD SCORE (p>0.9). Conclusion: The presentstudy is the first to report serum Ferritin levels is associated with circulating OX-LDL levelin patients with CAD. The correlation of CAD SCORE with Ferritin levels in these patientsis indicative of the importance of this parameter in predicating CAD. These resultssuggest that measurement of OX- LDL and Ferritin could be of great assistance in predicatingpremature CHD.