Antibodies against Endothelia,Phospholipids and Oxidized LDL in Patients with Endogenous Hypercortisolism

Overview

Antiphospholipid (APLA), antiendothelial (AECA) and anti-oxidized LDL (anti-oxLDL) autoantibodiesare found in vascular disorders. Pathogenetic contingency of atherosclerosis and these autoantibodiesis still discussed, the mechanisms of their action in atherogenesis are not quite clear sofar.Patients in various stages of endogenous hypercorticism as a model of accelerated atherosclerosiswere investigated.We have sought possible correlations between autoantibodies and parameters ofatherosclerosis with regard to the influence of endogenous hypercorticism on the inflammation.Low titres of autoantibodies in patients with active forms of disease result fromthe immunosupressiveeffect of steroids. None of investigated group had high titres of APLA.No differences were foundin AECA occurrence. No correlation of APLA, anti-oxLDL nor AECA with urinary free cortisol andplasma cortisol was found. There were no significant differences in autoantibody titres betweenpatients with or without carotid stenosis.These results suggest, that autoantibodies may not always influence the development and progressionof atherosclerotic lesions.

Key words:
antiphospholipid antibodies – APLA, antiendothelial antibodies – AECA, autoantibodiesagainst oxidized LDL – anti-oxLDL, endogenous hypercorticism – Cushing’s syndrome, atherosclerosis.