Females with angina pectoris have altered lipoprotein metabolism with elevated cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity and impaired high-density lipoproteins-associated antioxidant enzymes

In order to investigate non-invasive biomarkers for angina pectoris (AP), we analyzed the lipid and protein composition in individual lipoproteins from females with angina pectoris (n=22) and age- and gender-matched controls (n=20). In the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction, the triglycerides (TG) and protein content increased in the AP group compared to the control group. The AP group had lower total cholesterol (TC) and elevated TG in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction. In the AP group, cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity was enhanced in HDL and LDL, while lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity in HDL(3) was almost depleted. Antioxidant activity was significantly decreased in the HDL(3) fraction, with a decrease in the HDL(2) particle size. In the HDL(3) fraction, paraoxonase and platelet activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) activity were much lower and the levels of CETP and apoC-III were elevated in the AP group. The LDL from the AP group was more sensitive to cupric ion-mediated oxidation with faster mobility. In conclusion, the lipoprotein fractions in the AP group had impaired antioxidant activity and increased TG and apoC-III with structural and functional changes.