Reverse cholesterol transport

The review summarizes data on main stages of reverse cholesterol transport occupying an important place in realization of atherogenic disturbances of lipid metabolism. Key stage of this process - the transport of cholesterol esters from high density lipoproteins (HDL) to apolipoprotein (apo) B conta ining lipoproteins is thoroughly discussed. Data on the role of apo-E in re verse cholesterol transport are also presented. It is shown that efficacy o f reverse cholesterol transport which is usually assessed by the level of t otal HDL cholesterol (HDL). is to a great extent determined by composition of HDL, activity of esterification of cholesterol incorporated in HDL, acti vity of cholesterol ester transport from HDL to apo-B containing lipoprotei ns, distribution of apo-E between classes of lipoproteins. Introduction int o practice of clinical research of simultaneous determination of lipid cont ent of HDL, activities of cholesterol ester transport and cholesterol ester ification, content of apo-E in different classes of lipoproteins will allow to diagnose more precisely disorders of reverse cholesterol transport and to assess its changes during correction of hyperlipidemia by drugs.