PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The relationship between the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and their protective function is addressed. RECENT FINDINGS: Strong epidemiologic evidence indicates that the concentration of high-density lipoproteins is a powerful inverse predictor of cardiovascular risk. This is consistent with the fact that high levels of high-density lipoprotein are generally associated with an increased concentration of large high-density lipoprotein particles that are now known to be the preferred acceptors of cholesterol released from macrophages via the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette A1 pathway. Some of the protective activity, however, of high-density lipoproteins may reflect functions of specific subpopulations or variations in the 'quality' of high-density lipoprotein particles and may be unrelated to the concentration of the total high-density lipoprotein fraction. This review summarizes the cardiovascular protective role of high-density lipoproteins and addresses how the concentration and antiatherogenic activity of high-density lipoproteins are related. SUMMARY: Some of the protective functions of high-density lipoprotein are closely related to the simple concentration of high-density lipoproteins; others may not be related. Given the current high level of interest in therapies that raise the concentration of high-density lipoprotein, it is essential to conduct further research to identify precisely how high-density lipoproteins protect.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The relationship between the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and their protective function is addressed. RECENT FINDINGS: Strong epidemiologic evidence indicates that the concentration of high-density lipoproteins is a powerful inverse predictor of cardiovascular risk. This is consistent with the fact that high levels of high-density lipoprotein are generally associated with an increased concentration of large high-density lipoprotein particles that are now known to be the preferred acceptors of cholesterol released from macrophages via the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette A1 pathway. Some of the protective activity, however, of high-density lipoproteins may reflect functions of specific subpopulations or variations in the 'quality' of high-density lipoprotein particles and may be unrelated to the concentration of the total high-density lipoprotein fraction. This review summarizes the cardiovascular protective role of high-density lipoproteins and addresses how the concentration and antiatherogenic activity of high-density lipoproteins are related. SUMMARY: Some of the protective functions of high-density lipoprotein are closely related to the simple concentration of high-density lipoproteins; others may not be related. Given the current high level of interest in therapies that raise the concentration of high-density lipoprotein, it is essential to conduct further research to identify precisely how high-density lipoproteins protect.
Authors: Valentin Gogonea; Zhiping Wu; Xavier Lee; Vitaliy Pipich; Xin-Min Li; Alexander I Ioffe; Joseph A Didonato; Stanley L Hazen Journal: Biochemistry Date: 2010-08-31 Impact factor: 3.162
Authors: Ana C Lo Prete; Clederson H Dina; Carolina H Azevedo; Camila G Puk; Neuza H M Lopes; Whady A Hueb; Raul Cavalcante Maranhão Journal: Lipids Date: 2009-09-16 Impact factor: 1.880
Authors: Valentin Gogonea; Gary S Gerstenecker; Zhiping Wu; Xavier Lee; Celalettin Topbas; Matthew A Wagner; Thomas C Tallant; Jonathan D Smith; Philip Callow; Vitaliy Pipich; Hélène Malet; Guy Schoehn; Joseph A DiDonato; Stanley L Hazen Journal: J Lipid Res Date: 2013-01-23 Impact factor: 5.922
Authors: Esther M M Ooi; Gerald F Watts; Paul J Nestel; Dmitri Sviridov; Anh Hoang; P Hugh R Barrett Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2007-11-20 Impact factor: 5.958