Antibodies against oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL) and apolipoprotein E polymorphism in demented patients

In serum of 114 patients with dementia and of 102 controls the titer of G class immunoglobulins directed against oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL) was determined by ELISA method using OLAB kits. In isolated DNA apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene polymorphism was identifi ed. In the group with dementia a tendency to lower antibodies levels in e4 allele carriers and to higher ones in the e2 group was observed. In some individuals very high levels of the antibodies were stated exceeding the 90 percentile of the investigated groups. The prevalence of very high anti-ox LDL antibodies level was signifi cantly more frequent in the carriers of e2 allele and less frequent in the carriers of e4 allele. These results could suggest a role of apolipoprotein E polymorphism in the immune response against oxidized low density lipoproteins. This could play an additional role in the pathogenesis of dementia.