IS ATHEROSCLEROSIS EXCLUSIVELY A POSTPRANDIAL PHENOMENON

1. Atherosclerosis begins with the deposition of cholesterol in arteri al tissue that is thought to be derived from circulating lipoproteins. There is considerable evidence implicating low density lipoprotein (L DL) as a primary source of plaque cholesterol and, consequently, there are many articles that deal with various aspects of LDL metabolism. 2 . Postprandial lipoproteins (i.e. chylomicrons transporting dietary fa ts) are also considered pro-atherogenic; however, it is less clear whe ther their involvement in arterial cholesterol deposition is direct or follows modulation of LDL metabolism. 3. In order to provoke discussi on, this article is presented in a manner that suggests atherosclerosi s to be exclusively a postprandial phenomenon; that is, we have raised the possibility that LDL is non-atherogenic.