[Endothelial injury by oxidized LDL]

Recent progress in the research of oxidized LDL has revealed that this lipoprotein causes not only foam cell transformation of macrophages but also several endothelial dysfunction, and the effects on endothelial cells are also involved with the process of atherogenesis. Receptors for oxidized LDL on endothelial cells, such as LOX-1 and SREC, have been cloned and their characteristics are now under investigation. In addition to lowering plasma cholesterol level, it is expected that new strategies to prevent atherosclerosis is established by focusing on the endothelial injury caused by oxidized LDL.