High-density lipoprotein cholesterol — friend or enemy?

Abstract

The article provides a review of the literature on the effect of excess and deficiency of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular pathology. Information about high-density lipoproteins structure, function, antiatherogenic role and the prospect of using various high-density lipoproteins subclasses in the pharmacotherapy of dyslipidemic conditions are also described. It is proven that a lowered level of such cholesterol is a predictor of cardiovascular disease. At the same time, many observations confirm the correlation between elevated high-density lipoprotein levels and mortality from myocardial infarction and other acute cardiovascular conditions. In large studies, the use of cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitors and other drugs increased the level of high-density lipoprotein, but the unreduced risk of cardiovascular disease confirms the lack of positive results from the use as a therapeutic target. In addition, it was found that the composition of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol protein differs in healthy and diseased people: it becomes dysfunctional, losing its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in diseased individuals. The atheroprotective activity of properly functioning high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is often impaired in clinical situations associated with oxidative stress. In these cases, high-density lipoproteins can have some changes, and even if the quantity is within the normal range, the quality is no longer the same. Thus, it is necessary to identify a better therapeutic target than high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, as there is currently insufficient clinical trial data to recommend targeted high-density lipoprotein therapy.