Lipoproteins and apolipoproteins. Composition, metabolism, and association with coronary heart disease.

Apolipoproteins play major roles in regulating lipoprotein synthesis and catabolism. Apolipoprotein AI activates the lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase, apolipoprotein CII and CIII regulate the lipoprotein lipase, and apolipoprotein B-100, B-48, and E control the cholesterol uptake into hepatic and extrahepatic cells. Therefore, investigating the alterations of lipoprotein metabolism in disease states at the apolipoprotein level may give increased insight into the underlying mechanisms of lipoprotein changes and provide better understanding about the premature development of the atherogenic process.