The protective role of high-density lipoproteins in atherosclerosis

Serum high-density lipoprotein level is known to be correlated inversely wi th the incidence and mortality rates of ischemic heart disease. Although so me reports pointed out that in case of hyperalphalipoproteinemia. lesions i n the coronary arteries were occasionally found, it is also noticed that in very rare condition, no atheromatous lesions found even in patients with h ereditary alphalipoprotein deficiency (Funke et al., 1991). However, clinic al surveys have confirmed that high high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol le vel is favorable in preventing the development of atheroclerotic lesion and high-density lipoprotein together with apolipoprotein AI are currently con sidered to be the most reliable parameters in predicting the development of atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemia. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All righ ts reserved.