Plasma levels of citrate and lipid peroxides in men with coronary atherosclerosis

Citrate is related to lipid metabolism as an activator of acetyl CoA carboxylase, which regulates fatty acid synthesis. Lipid peroxides have a major role in the initiation of atherosclerosis. In order to determine the relationship between plasma levels of citrate and lipid peroxides and lipid fractions, we measured levels of plasma citrate, lipid fractions and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in controls and patients with coronary atherosclerosis. There was no significant difference between the plasma citrate level of the control and patient groups. In the patient group plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol and TEARS levels were significantly higher, but HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol level was significantly lower, than in the control group. Our results indicate that lipids and lipid peroxides may be markers of coronary atherosclerosis while citrate may not. Med Sci Res 27:197-199 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins