Features of lipid metabolism disturbances in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective. To characterize specters of common and modified lipoproteins (LP) in serum of pts with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) according to age and sex and compare with healthy donors (with normal lipid level). Material and methods. 103 pts with RA (88 female and 15 male) aged 21 to 69 years were included. Specters of common and modified LP in serum and plasma were evaluated with small-angle x-ray scattering. Results. Low level of intermediate density lipoproteins (IDLP) subfractions and very low density lipoproteins (VLDLP) as well as high level of low density lipoproteins (LDLP)30 was revealed in pts with RA. Mean level of LP modification was about 60%. High density lipoproteins (HDLP) subfraction was least and IDLP subfraction – most susceptible to modification. LP modification level increased due to LDLP and VLDLP fractions. This level had a tendency to increase with age because of elevation of atherogenic LP part. Mean values of common LP did not differ between sex and age groups of pts with RA. Unexpectedly low (in comparison with normal lipid content) level of LP modification of the whole fraction of HDLP was the feature of modified LP specter in pts with RA. Conclusion. Level of common and modified LP in blood plasma and serum of RA pts is connected with general state of lipid metabolism and immune defense factors balance. Low level of VLDLP cholesterol and high level of LDLP cholesterol as well as high degree of LP of these fractions modification may be probably considered as markers of RA activity.

Keywords

• rheumatoid arthritis
• lipids
• lipoproteins
• modified lipoproteins
• small-angle x-ray scattering