[Reverse cholesterol transport processes and their role in artherosclerosis regression]

Atherosclerosis represents dynamic process with periodic tendency to reverse. Although animal experiments and human studies have provided considerable evidence of atherosclerosis regression, our understanding of this phenomenon remains still incomplete. Atherosclerosis regression depends on removal of cholesterol deposits from atherosclerotic plague in the process of reverse cholesterol transport and possibly other mechanisms including migration of macrophages and foam cells, inhibition of inflammation and endothelial regeneration. Our paper reviews available data on the process of atherosclerosis regression with special attention to the reverse cholesterol transport.