Serum albumin and biomolecular oxidative damage of human atherosclerotic plaques

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of serum albumin (SA) with oxidative damage of human atherosclerotic plaques and the severity of atherosclerosis. DESIGN AND METHODS: Correlation of the levels of SA with those of lipid and protein oxidation of endarterectomy-removed carotid atherosclerotic plaques; SA and plaque oxidative biomarkers comparison between 2 groups of patients with different severity of atherosclerotic carotid stenosis, i.e. <90% (group I) or ≥90% (group II). RESULTS: SA was strongly inversely correlated with plaque oxidative damage; SA was lower and plaque oxidative damage higher in group II than group I. CONCLUSIONS: Lowered SA is associated with oxidative damage of atherosclerotic plaques and the severity of atherosclerosis.