Markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant protection: assessment of LDL oxidation.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in vivo is likely to contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis and other chronic degenerative diseases such as cancers. LDL oxidation in the human body can be assessed by measuring LDL oxidation products, such as hydroxy-fatty acids and oxysterols or indirect indicators of lipid peroxidation, e.g. F2-isoprostanes. A second approach is to measure the immunologic response to antigenic lipid peroxidation products. In vitro measurements such as the susceptibility of isolated lipoprotein to oxidants are less preferable.