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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
09:15
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
Reducing cardiovascular risk by targeting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
1Sterling Rock Falls Clinic, 101 East Miller Road, Sterling, IL 61081, USA. Peter.Toth@srfc.com
Current Atherosclerosis Reports
|December 16, 2006
Summary
Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol contribute to residual cardiovascular risk despite statin therapy. New HDL-raising therapies, combined with statins, may further reduce this risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- Statins effectively lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, reducing cardiovascular events.
- A significant residual cardiovascular risk persists in many patients treated with statins.
- Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels are implicated in this residual risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore novel therapeutic strategies for increasing HDL cholesterol levels.
- To investigate the potential of combining HDL-elevating agents with LDL-lowering therapies.
- To address the unmet need in cardiovascular risk reduction.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging therapies targeting HDL cholesterol.
- Investigation of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors.
- Exploration of apolipoprotein A-I mimetics, recombinant HDL, liver X receptor (LXR) agonists, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists.
Main Results:
- Several novel drug classes show promise for significantly increasing HDL cholesterol.
- These agents represent potential new avenues for cardiovascular risk management.
- Combination therapy with existing LDL-lowering agents is a key strategy.
Conclusions:
- Elevating HDL cholesterol is a viable strategy to mitigate residual cardiovascular risk.
- Novel HDL-targeting therapies offer promising adjuncts to statin treatment.
- Combined therapeutic approaches may enhance cardiovascular risk reduction.
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