Therapeutic modulation of low-density lipoprotein sire

Small, dense LDL particles have been linked to atherosclerosis, often in a cluster of risk factors and affecting approximately 20% of adults, Over the past year, studies confirmed that small dense LDL is an autosomal dominant trait, influenced mainly by hypertriglyceridaemia and obesity, insulin res istance and diabetes mellitus and some incompletely investigated genetic lo ci. Compositional and functional differences have been observed in small LD L. Evidence is emerging that lifestyle as well as pharmacological intervent ion can modulate LDL size, but there is no proof yet that this is of clinic al benefit, Curr Opin Lipidol 11:597-602. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wi lkins.