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Published on: May 6, 2014

HDL and inflammation in atherosclerosis

Lukas E Spieker1, Frank Ruschitzka, Thomas F Lüscher

  • 1Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.

Current Drug Targets. Immune, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
|March 23, 2004
PubMed

Insights

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol offers protective vascular effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Elevating HDL may be a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating atherosclerotic vascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Atherosclerotic vascular disease is a leading global cause of mortality.
  • Current treatments focus on lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, achieving significant risk reduction.
  • Inflammatory mechanisms are increasingly recognized as critical in vascular disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the multifaceted protective roles of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in vascular health.
  • To propose HDL elevation as a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerotic vascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on HDL cholesterol's functions and therapeutic potential.
  • Analysis of the correlation between inflammatory markers and cardiovascular disease prognosis.

Main Results:

  • HDL cholesterol exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the vasculature.
  • HDL possesses antithrombotic and pro-fibrinolytic properties.
  • HDL facilitates reverse cholesterol transport, crucial for preventing plaque buildup.

Conclusions:

  • The pleiotropic beneficial effects of HDL make it an attractive therapeutic target.
  • Strategies aimed at increasing HDL levels hold promise for preventing and treating atherosclerotic vascular disease.

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