Copyright
©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Cardiol. Jul 26, 2013; 5(7): 210-214
Published online Jul 26, 2013. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v5.i7.210
Published online Jul 26, 2013. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v5.i7.210
High density lipoprotein and cardiovascular diseases
Theodosios D Filippatos, Moses S Elisaf, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Author contributions: Filippatos TD wrote the commentary article; Elisaf MS edited and supervised the commentary article.
Correspondence to: Moses S Elisaf, MD, FRSH, FASA, FISA, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Staurou Niarchou Avenue, 45110 Ioannina, Greece. egepi@cc.uoi.gr
Telephone: +30-265-1007509 Fax: +30-265-1007016
Received: April 24, 2013
Revised: May 19, 2013
Accepted: June 18, 2013
Published online: July 26, 2013
Processing time: 99 Days and 18.8 Hours
Revised: May 19, 2013
Accepted: June 18, 2013
Published online: July 26, 2013
Processing time: 99 Days and 18.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Epidemiological studies have shown that low plasma levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) represent a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. However, recent studies challenge the concept that an increase of plasma HDL-C will uniformly translate into a reduction in CVD risk. Certain patients with atherosclerosis may have “dysfunctional” HDL despite normal HDL-C levels. Furthermore, HDL-C levels are influenced by dietary patterns, drugs or concomitant diseases. The association of the structure of HDL particle with its functionality and metabolism has not been fully clarified. More research is needed to assess the association of HDL functionality with CVD risk.