Vitamin A Decreases Cytotoxicity of Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in Patients with Atherosclerosis

ABSTRACTBackground: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is implicated in initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Previously, we found that ox-LDL increases vulnerability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in atherosclerotic patients compared to controls. Vitamin A induces proliferation of PBMCs. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin A supplementation on PBMC survival against LDL and different doses of ox-LDL.Method: In this double-blind placebo-controlled trial, we recruited 35 atherosclerotic patients and 38 healthy controls and randomly allocated them into placebo and vitamin A groups, which received either placebo or 25,000 IU/day of vitamin A for 3 months. PBMCs were isolated, cultured, and stimulated by 1 µg/mL LDL as well as 1 µg/mL and 50 µg/mL ox-LDL. The stimulation indexes (SIs) of PBMCs were calculated to identify cell viability. Additionally, the circulating ox-LDL levels were measured by ELISA.Results: Viability of PBMCs stimulated by 50 µg/mL ox...