Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Enrichment of Mammalian Tissues and Xenopus Oocytes with Cholesterol
10:12

Enrichment of Mammalian Tissues and Xenopus Oocytes with Cholesterol

Published on: March 25, 2020

HDL-cholesterol: perfection is the enemy of good?

Ragavendra R Baliga1

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43054, USA. rrbaliga@gmail.com

The Medical Clinics of North America
|March 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels are linked to increased cardiovascular event risk. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and exercising are recommended for patients with low HDL.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Preventive Cardiology

Background:

  • Epidemiologic studies consistently show an inverse relationship between high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol plasma concentrations and cardiovascular event risk.
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) possesses intrinsic properties that suggest a potential role in reversing atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the causal link between HDL-cholesterol and cardiovascular events in humans.
  • To evaluate the role of lifestyle interventions versus pharmacotherapy in managing low HDL-cholesterol.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing epidemiologic studies on HDL-cholesterol and cardiovascular events.
  • Analysis of the potential atheroprotective mechanisms of HDL.
  • Consideration of clinical implications for patients with low HDL-cholesterol.

Main Results:

  • A strong inverse association between HDL-cholesterol and cardiovascular risk is established.
  • The causal relationship in humans remains to be conclusively demonstrated.
  • Pharmacological interventions may not be superior to lifestyle modifications.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with low HDL-cholesterol should prioritize lifestyle modifications, including smoking cessation, weight reduction, and regular physical activity.
  • A healthy lifestyle is paramount, and aggressive pharmacotherapy might be counterproductive.
  • Further research is needed to definitively establish the causal role of HDL in preventing cardiovascular events in humans.

More Related Videos

A Familial Hypercholesterolemia Human Liver Chimeric Mouse Model Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Hepatocytes10:56

A Familial Hypercholesterolemia Human Liver Chimeric Mouse Model Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Hepatocytes

Published on: September 15, 2018

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles09:15

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles

Published on: November 10, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation

Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements01:18

Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements

Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism01:28

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Chirality in Nature02:30

Chirality in Nature

Chirality is the most intriguing yet essential facet of nature, governing life’s biochemical processes and precision. It can be observed from a snail shell pattern in a macroscopic world to an amino acid, the minutest building block of life. Most of the snails around the world have right-coiled shells because of the intrinsic chirality in their genes. All the amino acids present in the human body exist in an enantiomerically pure state, except for glycine - the sole achiral amino acid. The...