Elevated lipid profile and reduced antioxidants accelerate the formation of atherosclerosis. Multiple lines of evidences have suggested that increased lipids and low antioxidants are the major risk factors for the incidence of acute coronary syndrome. Oxidative stress evaluation is now considered as an index for the assessment of development of coronary artery disease. Therefore, we studied association of the levels of non-enzymic antioxidants and lipid profile in controls and patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

The present study was carried out on 485 patients admitted to the emergency care unit, of whom 89 patients were diagnosed as non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were analysed along with non-enzymic antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, MDA and protein thiol in controls and patients with ACS. The levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly raised in patients when compared to controls in contrast to lowering of HDL-cholesterol levels in patients than controls. Vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione, MDA and protein thiol levels were significantly lowered in patients than controls (p<0.05).

Oxidative stress and lipid profile should be included as important markers in the early detection of acute coronary syndrome.