Aspirin use is associated with higher serum concentrations of the anti-oxidant enzyme, paraoxonase-1

Excerpt

To the editor: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1), a high density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme, is a major determinant of the anti-oxidant, and thus the anti-inflammatory function of the lipoprotein [1]. Data from animal models and human studies are consistent with the enzyme being a risk factor for vascular disease, notably in diabetic patients [1]. Independent studies have shown that diabetic patients are deficient in serum activity of PON1 [2, 3], whilst other reports have shown an association between PON1 and insulin resistance [4, 5] that could impact on susceptibility to vascular disease [5]. Although the primary effect of PON1 is to prevent lipoprotein oxidation, its enzyme activity is sensitive to oxidative stress. Lipid oxidation products can inhibit the enzyme, whilst factors which promote oxidative stress are associated with reduced serum PON1 activity and concentration. The latter could be a factor in the lower serum PON1 levels in diabetic patients. …