[The Role of Anti-Oxidative Stress in HDL]

High-density lipoprotein(HDL) particles play a role in anti-oxidative stress, and this action is partially involved in the anti-atherosclerotic processes. Indeed, a decreased level of anti-oxidative stress in HDL has been reported in oxidative stress-related pathologies. As typical HDL-containing protein molecules, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) are mainly described in the present review. Numerous studies have demonstrated that a low apoA-I level and the oxidative modification of apoA-I is associated with a dysfunction of anti-oxidative stress in HDL. A low PON1 level also plays a significant role in the dysfunction of anti-oxidative stress in HDL. Several studies have shown Lp-PLA2 to have an anti-atherosclerotic ability, while there have also been clinical studies showing a positive association between the Lp-PLA2 level and atherosclerotic manifestations. There are other HDL-containing protein molecules related to the anti-oxidative stress system in HDL, and all of these should be further investigated. The treatment of oxidative stress-related pathologies can lead to an improvement or even a full recovery of the anti-oxidative stress function in HDL. Given the multiple functions of HDL particles and the limitations associated with only HDL-cholesterol measurements, a comprehensive assessment of HDL particles, which includes the role of anti-oxidative stress in HDL, is thus considered to be necessary in future practice.