Biomarkers of oxidative damage are elevated among individuals with high cardiovascular risk: Refining subject selection strategies for antioxidant trials

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of Framingham risk scores (FRRs) to identify high-risk individuals with biochemical evidence of increased oxidative damage, who may benefit from antioxidant therapies. A bimodal change in plasma F2-isoprostane levels was observed with cardiovascular risk categories, while plasma neuroprostanes, 7α-hydroxycholesterol, and serum γ-glutamyltransferase levels were higher among individuals at high risk of cardiovascular events (Framingham score, > 36). Total plasma hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid products (HETEs) and serum high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) levels were consistently higher across Framingham risk categories. Multivariable analysis identified plasma 7α-hydroxycholesterol (odds ratio (OR), 1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03–1.10) and γ-glutamyltransferase (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01–1.03) as significant predictors of high cardiovascular risk (Framingham score, > 36), accounting for approximately 21% of its variation. Cardiovascular risk scores are useful to identify individuals with high burden of oxidative damage who may benefit from antioxidant therapy.