Low-density lipoprotein oxidation biomarkers in human health and disease and effects of bioactive compounds

This graph summarizes the different aspects covered in the review article. Changes from native to oxidized LDL play a central role in human (patho)physiology, such as for the transition from full health to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and other disorders. These changes can be monitored by biomarkers of oxidized LDL, including (i) a “challenge test” model, such as the ex vivo LDL resistance to a defined oxidative stress (e.g., by copper(II) ions), (ii) markers of “current status”, such as in vivo circulating oxidized LDL, along with oxysterols and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), and (iii) fingerprints of an “immune response” to oxidized LDL, such as (auto)antibodies against oxidized LDL. These biomarkers have been reviewed at life stages from infancy to older age, in healthy subjects, including athletes and smokers, as well as patients with different metabolic, cardiovascular and a variety of other diseases. A major focus of research addressed the effects of bioactive compounds in human intervention studies, including single vitamins and trace elements and combinations thereof, as well as different fruits, vegetables and oils known to contain bioactive compounds. Taken together, a valuable resource of comprehensive information has accumulated which may be useful for selecting informative biomarkers for human intervention studies and health claim support.227