PLoS ONE (Jan 2020)

The direct correlation between oxidative stress and LDL-C levels in adults is maintained by the Friedewald and Martin equations, but the methylation levels in the MTHFR and ADRB3 genes differ.

  • Jéssica Vicky Bernardo de Oliveira,
  • Raquel Patrícia Ataíde Lima,
  • Rafaella Cristhine Pordeus Luna,
  • Alcides da Silva Diniz,
  • Aléssio Tony Cavalcanti de Almeida,
  • Naila Francis Paulo de Oliveira,
  • Maria da Conceição Rodrigues Gonçalves,
  • Roberto Texeira de Lima,
  • Flávia Emília Leite de Lima Ferreira,
  • Sônia Cristina Pereira de Oliveira Ramalho Diniz,
  • Alexandre Sergio Silva,
  • Ana Hermínia Andrade E Silva,
  • Darlene Camati Persuhn,
  • Maria José de Carvalho Costa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239989
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 12
p. e0239989

Abstract

Read online

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) concentrations are a standard of care in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and are influenced by different factors. This study compared the LDL-C concentrations estimated by two different equations and determined their associations with inflammatory status, oxidative stress, anthropometric variables, food intake and DNA methylation levels in the LPL, ADRB3 and MTHFR genes. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with 236 adults (median age 37.5 years) of both sexes from the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. The LDL-C concentrations were estimated according to the Friedewald and Martin equations. LPL, ADRB3 and MTHFR gene methylation levels; malondialdehyde levels; total antioxidant capacity; ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, homocysteine, cobalamin, and folic acid levels; usual dietary intake; and epidemiological variables were also determined. For each unit increase in malondialdehyde concentration there was an increase in the LDL-C concentration from 6.25 to 10.29 mg/dL (p <0.000). Based on the Martin equation (≥70 mg/dL), there was a decrease in the DNA methylation levels in the ADRB3 gene and an increase in the DNA methylation levels in the MTHFR gene (p <0.05). There was a positive relation of homocysteine and cholesterol intake on LDL-C concentrations estimated according to the Friedewald equation and of waist circumference and age based on the two estimates. It is concluded the LDL-C concentrations estimated by the Friedewald and Martin equations were different, and the Friedewald equation values were significantly lower than those obtained by the Martin equation. MDA was the variable that was most positively associated with the estimated LDL-C levels in all multivariate models. Significant relationships were observed based on the two estimates and occurred for most variables. The methylation levels of the ADRB3 and MTHFR genes were different according to the Martin equation at low LDL-C concentrations (70 mg/dL).