Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

High-Density Lipoprotein-Specific Phospholipid Efflux Assay
Published on: September 30, 2025
Effects of niacin and Niaspan on HDL lipoprotein cellular SR-BI-mediated cholesterol efflux
John M Morgan1, Margarita de la Llera-Moya, David M Capuzzi
1The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, 100 E. Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Background:
Niacin, the lipid-regulating agent with the longest therapeutic experience, has been demonstrated to both raise high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and to diminish the risk of atherosclerosis and its vascular complications.
Objective:
The present study was carried out to explore niacin's effect on scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI)-mediated cholesterol efflux, a component of reverse cholesterol transport, using an in vitro model system.
Methods:
Thirty frozen samples from a large randomized, multicenter trial comparing crystalline niacin, extended-release niacin (Niaspan), and placebo were analyzed for SR-BI efflux.
Results:
Both the extended-release and crystalline niacin demonstrated significant increases in HDL-C (approximately 50%) over baseline values compared to the placebo group (14%). This was associated with a significant increase in SR-BI efflux of 2.7% and 3.4% for extended-release niacin and niacin, respectively, compared to placebo (0.4%). Although, there was no relationship between HDL-C and SR-BI efflux at baseline or at the end of treatment, there was a linear relation between the changes in HDL-C and SR-BI efflux (r = 0.58, P < 0.002).
Conclusion:
This study suggests that niacin has a beneficial effect on SR-BI efflux that is related to the change in level of HDL-C.
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