LDL aggregation - A novel biomarker That predicts mortality risk in Heart Disease

The scientists found that low-density lipoprotein isolated from patients with the known cardiovascular disease was more aggregation-prone than low-density lipoprotein isolated from healthy individuals. The most aggregation-prone LDL was found in those patients who later died from cardiovascular disease.

"This is the first study to show that there are measurable inter-individual differences in the aggregation susceptibility of LDL particles, and that aggregation-prone low-density lipoprotein is predictive of cardiovascular death", summarizes Dr. Öörni.

There is also good news: the study showed that the quality of low-density lipoprotein particles can be improved by cholesterol-lowering medication or by a healthy diet. "Increase in consumption of vegetable oils and a decrease in consumption of sugar decreased LDL aggregation", describes Maija Ruuth, the first author of the research article.

In the future, the new measurement of low-density lipoprotein aggregation may help to improve cardiovascular risk. "This new biomarker may also facilitate identification of patients with currently unrecognized risk for cardiovascular events", suggests Professor Petri Kovanen, a member of the research team.

"Our results identify the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to aggregate as a novel measurable and modifiable factor in the progression of human ASCVD," concluded the authors.