Antiphospholipid (APLA), antiendothelial (AECA) and anti-oxidized LDL (anti-oxLDL) autoantibodies are found in vascular disorders. Pathogenetic contingency of atherosclerosis and these autoantibodies is still discussed, the mechanisms of their action in atherogenesis are not quite clear so far. Patients in various stages of endogenous hypercorticism as a model of accelerated atherosclerosis were investigated.We have sought possible correlations between autoantibodies and parameters of atherosclerosis with regard to the influence of endogenous hypercorticism on the inflammation. Low titres of autoantibodies in patients with active forms of disease result fromthe immunosupressive effect of steroids. None of investigated group had high titres of APLA.No differences were found in AECA occurrence. No correlation of APLA, anti-oxLDL nor AECA with urinary free cortisol and plasma cortisol was found. There were no significant differences in autoantibody titres between patients with or without carotid stenosis. These results suggest, that autoantibodies may not always influence the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

        Key words: antiphospholipid antibodies – APLA, antiendothelial antibodies – AECA, autoantibodies against oxidized LDL – anti-oxLDL, endogenous hypercorticism – Cushing’s syndrome, atherosclerosis.