Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein
07:29

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein

Published on: October 12, 2017

Serum HDL cholesterol: should it be routinely measured?

S B Dimmitt1, G F Watts

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Royal Perth Hospital, WA.

The Medical Journal of Australia
|October 16, 1995
PubMed

Insights

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. The unclear relationship between lipid-lowering treatments and HDL changes requires further investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Lipid Metabolism

Background:

  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is recognized as a significant predictor of coronary heart disease events.
  • However, its role as an isolated marker for cardiovascular risk is debated.
  • The precise impact of interventions on HDL levels and subsequent clinical outcomes remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the complex relationship between lipid-lowering strategies and alterations in HDL cholesterol levels.
  • To clarify the clinical significance of HDL changes in the context of overall cardiovascular risk reduction.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing epidemiological data and clinical trial results.
  • Analysis of studies examining the effects of various lipid-modifying therapies on HDL-C concentrations.
  • Correlation analysis between HDL-C level changes and incidence of coronary disease events.

Main Results:

  • HDL cholesterol is one among multiple factors influencing coronary disease risk.
  • The direct correlation between therapeutic modifications in HDL levels and the benefits of lipid-lowering interventions is currently unclear.
  • Existing data do not definitively establish a causal link between HDL-C increases and improved cardiovascular outcomes from lipid-lowering therapies.

Conclusions:

  • HDL cholesterol's predictive value for coronary events is limited when considered alone.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the role of HDL-C modulation in the efficacy of lipid-lowering treatments.
  • The clinical utility of targeting HDL-C levels requires more robust evidence.

More Related Videos

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

High-Density Lipoprotein-Specific Phospholipid Efflux Assay07:08

High-Density Lipoprotein-Specific Phospholipid Efflux Assay

Published on: September 30, 2025

Related Concept Videos

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...
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,...
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...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
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...