Oxidated low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) and peroxides in plasma of Down syndrome patients

A low prevalence of coronary artery disease is usually observed in adult Down syndrome (DS) subjects, and these patients rarely die because of atherosclerotic complications. High levels of oxLDL were found in plasma from children and adults with DS. Plasma oxLDL were still increased in elderly with DS, however, difference with controls was not statistically significant. Concentrations of plasma peroxides were significantly higher in children and adults with DS than controls. No differences between elderly DS subjects and controls were present. We speculated that increased levels of protective antiathero-sclerosis factors might be produced in young and adult DS subjects and these may explain low incidence of cardiovascular diseases in the syndrome. Up-regulation of vascular andothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated signals and increased nerve growth factor (NGF) expression might be two of these important protective factors.