DRUG-CONTROL OF REVERSE CHOLESTEROL TRANSPORT

Citation
G. Franceschini et al., DRUG-CONTROL OF REVERSE CHOLESTEROL TRANSPORT, Pharmacology & therapeutics, 61(3), 1994, pp. 289-324
Citations number
323
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Journal title
ISSN journal
01637258
Volume
61
Issue
3
Year of publication
1994
Pages
289 - 324
Database
ISI
SICI code
0163-7258(1994)61:3<289:DORCT>2.0.ZU;2-M
Abstract
Reverse cholesterol transport identifies a series of metabolic events resulting in the transport of excess cholesterol from peripheral tissu es to the liver. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are the vehicle of ch olesterol in this reverse transport, a function believed to explain th e inverse correlation between plasma HDL levels and atherosclerosis. A n attempt to stimulate, by the use of drugs, this transport process ma y hold promise in the prevention and treatment of arterial disease. Am ong the agents affecting lipoprotein metabolism, only probucol exerts significant effects on reverse cholesterol transport, by stimulating t he activity of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein and, consequentl y, altering HDL subfraction composition/distribution. Another approach to the stimulation of reverse cholesterol transport consists of raisi ng plasma HDL levels; studies in animals, either by exogenous suppleme ntation or by endogenous overexpression, have shown a consistent benef it in terms of atherosclerosis regression and/or non-progression. Thus , it is time to consider different future treatments of atherosclerosi s, combining the classical lipid-lowering treatments with innovative m ethods to promote cholesterol removal from the arterial wall.