HDL metabolism

Lipids and lipoproteins represent main risk factors for the development and the progress of atherosclerotic and cardiovascular diseases. Disorders in lipoprotein metabolism may result in diabetes mellitus, acute pancreatitis, and in the early occurrence of atherosclerotic alterations. The plasma con centration of high density lipoproteins (HDL) is inverse correlated with th e risk of cardiovascular diseases as shown in epidemiologic studies. HDL pl ay an important role in the reverse cholesterol transport. Free cholesterol from peripheral cells can be assembled in HDL particles, transformed to ch olesterol esters, transported to the liver, and secreted via the bile as bi le acids. The metabolism of HDL is not known in detail. Numerous factors we re identified to influence the metabolism of HDL. Particularly the identifi cation of the cholesterol efflux regulating protein adduced new insights in HDL metabolism. A detailed description of HDL metabolism is necessary for the evaluation of new therapeutic strategies for the regulation of the seru m concentration of this important lipoprotein. Here we describe the known i nfluencing factors for a better understanding of HDL metabolism.