Objective-Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)is implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Circulating oxidation-specific epitopes on plasma Ox-LDL has been linked with coronary artery disease, but its determinants and its association with early development of atherosclerosis in familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) has not been very well studied. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of the circulating Ox-LDL and the association between Ox-LDL and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in asymptomatic members of FCHL families. Methods and Results-Ox-LDL, susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in vitro, plasma 8-isoprostane and antioxidants, lipids and lipoproteins, LDL particle size, and carotid IMT were measured in 150 asymptomatic FCHL family members. Affected FCHL family members had reduced LDL particle size and lag time for LDL oxidation, increased plasma levels of Ox-LDL, increased plasma urate and ␣-tocopherol, and a trend for the increase of 8-isoprostane as compared with nonaffected FCHL. Ox-LDL was independently associated with serum LDL cholesterol, apoB, and 8-isoprostane in multivariate analysis but only univariately correlated with LDL particle size and lag time for LDL oxidation. In addition, Ox-LDL was significantly associated with carotid mean IMT independently of other clinical and biochemical variables in a multivariate model. Conclusion-Serum LDL cholesterol, apoB levels, and 8-isoprostane were the most important determinants of Ox-LDL.Ox-LDL is independently associated with carotid IMT in asymptomatic FCHL family members and can be used as a marker of early atherosclerosis in FCHL. Key Words: carotid arteries Ⅲ hyperlipoproteinemia Ⅲ familial combined Ⅲ lipoproteins Ⅲ low-denisty lipoprotein Ⅲ oxygen radical Ⅲ ultrasonography T here is substantial evidence that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) is present in vivo within atherosclerotic lesions of arteries. 1 Under the oxidative stress, oxidative modification of LDL may take place in the subendothelial space of the arterial wall, 1 and a small amount of Ox-LDL may also be released into the circulation. 2 When "fully oxidized LDL" enters the circulation in minor quantities, it will be rapidly cleared by the reticuloendothelial system, particularly in the liver, or it will be removed by the preexisting circulating autoantibodies to In contrast, the "minimally modified LDL," in which oxidative modification has not been sufficient to cause changes recognized by scavenger receptors, can be found in circulation. 4,5 Other studies have defined the presence of oxidationspecific epitopes on plasma LDL 6 -8 or baseline levels of conjugated dienes in lipids extracted from LDL (LDL-BDC) as measures of LDL oxidation in vivo. 9 Recently, several groups have developed several specific methods to measure circulating Ox-LDL using different anti-Ox-LDL antibodies. 6 -8 As a sensitive biochemical marker, Ox-LDL has been related to coronary artery disease (CAD) in several clinical studies. 6,10 -12 Plasma Ox-LDL has also been associ...