In vitro oxidised HDL exerts a cytotoxic effect on macrophages.

The cytotoxic effect of native high density lipoprotein (n-HDL) and oxidised high density lipoprotein (ox-HDL) on macrophages was studied and compared with that of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Copper-mediated oxidation of HDL and LDL was conducted in vitro and assessed by the analysis of conjugated dienes (CD). The kinetics of CD production during lipoprotein oxidation showed that HDL, relative to LDL, exhibited a shorter lag phase (47.