Mechanisms for oxidizing low-density lipoprotein. Insights from patterns of oxidation products in the artery wall and from mouse models of atherosclerosis.

The oxidation hypothesis proposes that oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) plays a critical role in atherogenesis. This review critically evaluates the various mechanisms proposed for LDL oxidation, focusing on insights derived from chemical analysis of human artery wall and studies of genetically engineered mice. The implications of recent clinical trials of vitamin E for the oxidation hypothesis are also briefly discussed.