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Updated: Aug 25, 2026

A Familial Hypercholesterolemia Human Liver Chimeric Mouse Model Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Hepatocytes
Published on: September 15, 2018
The relationship between cholesteryl ester transfer protein levels and risk factor profile in patients with familial
Greetje J de Grooth1, Tineke J Smilde, Sanne Van Wissen
1Department of Vascular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Background:
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of neutral lipids between lipoproteins. The role of CETP in atherogenesis is controversial. To better understand the relationships between plasma CETP levels, lipoproteins and atherosclerosis, we assessed these parameters in patients with an enhanced risk for atherosclerosis.
Methods And Results:
We investigated 281 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in which the effects of two statins were compared in a 2-year, randomized, double-blinded study. Patients were stratified in quartiles according to their CETP baseline levels. In addition to correlations with decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and enhanced triglyceride levels, higher CETP levels were also associated with reduced HDL particle size, and smaller and denser LDL. Statins reduced plasma CETP levels and atherogenic lipoproteins. Nevertheless, baseline CETP concentration was positively associated with IMT after 2 years of therapy.
Conclusion:
This study provides evidence that CETP levels are associated with a more atherogenic lipid profile and increased progression of atherosclerosis. Statin treatment improved the lipoprotein profile in FH patients, but to a lesser extent in those with high CETP levels. These findings might imply that statin treatment does not entirely counteract the lipoprotein abnormalities associated with high CETP levels.
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