Clinical and Biological Relevance of Statin-Mediated Changes in HDL Metabolism

Although prospective studies consistently show that individuals with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are at increased cardiovascular risk, it is still not clear whether or not this relationship still holds in patients treated with statins who have achieved optimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Additionally, the hypothesis that statin-mediated increases in HDL cholesterol levels have a impact on cardiovascular risk has not been clearly demonstrated. Statin therapy has little impact on the cholesterol content carried by HDL in the bloodstream (i.e., HDL cholesterol levels), but statins can induce a significant redistribution of HDL particle size, particle concentration, and physicochemical and functional properties. Our objective is to summarize the evidence arising from epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies that suggests a potential role for statin therapy in the modulation of parameters of HDL metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport.