Fasting cholesteryl ester transfer protein concentration is independently associated with the postprandial decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration after fat-rich meals: the Hoorn prandial study.

The aim of the study was to test whether fasting or postprandial cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) concentrations are associated with postprandial changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) concentrations after fat-rich or carbohydrate-rich meals. Postmenopausal women (76 with normal glucose metabolism [NGM], 41 with type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM], and 38 T2DM women with statin therapy [T2DM-ST]) received 2 consecutive fat-rich or carbohydrate-rich meals on separate occasions. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the associations of fasting CETP and postprandial changes of CETP with postprandial changes in HDL-c.

Reduced fecal sterol excretion in subjects with familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia.

Background: Fecal bile acid and neutral sterol excretion are the obligate endpoints of the reverse cholesterol transport pathway (RCT). In studies in mice, no evidence was found for a relation between HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels and fecal sterol excretion. In this study, we have evaluated this relationship in patients with isolated low HDL-c versus controls.

High-density lipoprotein particle size and concentration and coronary risk.

Background: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels are inversely related to risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). Because HDL particles are heterogeneous in size and composition, they may be differentially associated with other cardiovascular risk factors and with cardiovascular risk.

Objective: To study the independent relationships of HDL size and particle concentration to risk for future CAD.

Current and future pharmacologic options for the management of patients unable to achieve low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol goals with statins.

Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering is the mainstay of the current treatment guidelines in the management of cardiovascular risk. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are currently the most effective LDL-C-lowering drugs. However, a substantial number of patients do not reach treatment targets with statins.

The role of CETP inhibition in dyslipidemia.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors are currently being investigated because of their ability to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. In various metabolic settings, the relationship between CETP and lipoprotein metabolism is complex and may depend largely on the concentration of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Two CETP inhibitors, JTT-705 and torcetrapib, are in an advanced phase of development.

Role of the apolipoprotein B-apolipoprotein A-I ratio in cardiovascular risk assessment: a case-control analysis in EPIC-Norfolk.

Background: An elevated apolipoprotein B-apolipoprotein A-I (apo B-apo A-I) ratio is a risk factor for future coronary artery disease (CAD). It is not known whether this ratio is better than traditional lipid values for risk assessment and prediction and whether it adds predictive value to the Framingham risk score.

Objective: To evaluate whether the apo B-apo A-I ratio is associated with future CAD events independent of traditional lipid measurements and the Framingham risk score and to evaluate the ability of this ratio to predict occurrence of future CAD.

Value of low-density lipoprotein particle number and size as predictors of coronary artery disease in apparently healthy men and women: the EPIC-Norfolk Prospective Population Study.

Objectives: We assessed relations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle number (LDL-P) and LDL particle size as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and the risk of future coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background: Whereas LDL-C is an established risk factor for CAD, its discriminative power is limited. Measuring LDL-P and size may have stronger associations with CAD than LDL-C.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibition beyond raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels: pathways by which modulation of CETP activity may alter atherogenesis.

Raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a promising strategy in the struggle to prevent cardiovascular disease, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors have been developed to accomplish this. The first results are encouraging, and, in fact, in rabbits, inhibition of CETP reduces atherosclerosis. Because human data regarding the reduction of atheroma burden require more time, the biochemical mechanisms underlying the putative atheroprotection of CETP inhibitors are currently dissected, and several pathways have emerged.