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Non-linear Optical Responses of Low-Density Lipoprotein are Associated with Intima-Media Thickness of Carotid Artery in Athletes

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Abstract

We investigated the association between the degree of oxidative modification of LDL particles by non-linear optical response of LDL (Z-scan technique) and the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in different segments of the carotid artery. We recruited high-intensity athlete runners (n = 44) and controls (n = 51) to participate in the study. The carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), interleukin 10 (IL-10), TNF-alpha, and the non-linear optical responses of LDL particle (Z-scan) were assessed. In athletes, the mean cIMT differed between genders, with higher values observed in female athletes compared to male athletes (P < 0.05). Higher mean values for cIMT were seen in the right carotid arteries of female athletes as compared to female controls (P < 0.05). Higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10 were found in athletes (P < 0.05). Yet, ΔΓpv (transmittance curve) of Z-scan in athletes was higher than in the non-athletes, indicating less oxidation in LDL particles of athletes (P < 0.05). There was an inverse association between the ΔΓpv and cIMT in the right internal carotid segments (β = −0.163, P < 0.05) in all subjects, and between the VO2max and the mean cIMT (β = −0.003, P < 0.05) in male subjects. The present study shows that the Z-scan technique enabled to detect less oxidative modifications in LDL particles from athletes. This effect was associated with cIMT in a gender-dependent mode.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded in part by a research grant from the National Institute for Science and Technology in Complex Fluids (INCT-FCx). Henrique Fonseca has received a research grant from CNPq (Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development).

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Rua Loefgren, 1350, 04040-001, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

      Henrique Andrade R. Fonseca, Célia R. Bittencourt, Francisco A. Fonseca, Luciano Camargo & Maria Cristina O. Izar

    2. Institute of Physics, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

      Andrea M. Monteiro, Priscila R. Santos & Antonio M. Figueiredo-Neto

    3. Diagnósticos da América, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

      Luiz A. R. Costa & Alexandre Murad

    4. Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Science IV, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil

      Magnus Gidlund

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    1. Henrique Andrade R. Fonseca
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    Henrique Andrade R. Fonseca and Célia R. Bittencourt equally contributed to this manuscript and should be considered as first authors.

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    Fonseca, H.A.R., Bittencourt, C.R., Fonseca, F.A. et al. Non-linear Optical Responses of Low-Density Lipoprotein are Associated with Intima-Media Thickness of Carotid Artery in Athletes. Cell Biochem Biophys 74, 253–262 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12013-016-0720-2

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