Introduction:

The low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) index is a predictive factor for atherosclerosis, which is associated with oxidative modifications.

Objective:

To assess the association of the index with oxidative stress markers.

Methods:

444 subjects were included and were clinically, anthropometrically and biochemically characterized; superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3), magnesium and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) index (oxLDL/HDL) were quantified.

Results:

A decrease of 1.014 units in the LDL/HDL index was associated with a superoxide dismutase increase of 1 unit/mL (p = 0.030), while a decrease of 0.023 units was associated with a GPx3 increase of 1 nmol/min/mL (p < 0.0005). An increase of one unit in the index was associated with an increase of 0.831 in the oxLDL/HDL index (p < 0.05). After controlling for the effect of gender, age, smoking, obesity and insulin resistance, a reduction of 0.001 per index unit was associated with an increase of 1 µg/g of magnesium in the nails (p = 0.020).

Conclusions:

The LDL/HDL index shows an inverse relationship with the antioxidant status and a direct relationship with oxidation status, regardless of other cardiovascular and oxidative stress risk factors.