[HDL cholesterol: clinical and pathobiochemical aspects (author's transl)].

The determination of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in patients with mild hypercholesterolemia (240-300 mg/dl) allows one to distinguish between hyperbetalipoproteinemia (= high atherogenic risk) and hyperalphalipoproteinemia (= low atherogenic risk). In addition, analysis of HDL-cholesterol is of value in the prediction and early recognition of coronary heart disease, particularly in combination with known risk factors (hypertriglyceridemia, adipositas, smoking). This prognostic value of HDL-cholesterol is a result of its negative correlation to coronary heart disease which has been recognized in epidemiologic and clinical studies. The study of Tangier disease (analphalipoproteinemia) and tissue culture experiments will provide opportunities for the further elucidation of the role of HDL in atherogenesis.