Dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis

Dyslipidemia is the most important risk factor for atherosclerosis. LDL, VLDL remnants, chylomicron remnants, small dense LDL(sdLDL), Lp(a), and oxidized LDL are pro-atherogenic and HDLs are anti-atherogenic lipoproteins. Not native LDL but modified LDL causes to the formation of foam cells. Among LDL particles, smaller denser LDLs are more susceptible to oxidation, and have longer residence time and higher affinity to the extracellular matrix. Delayed clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins results in the formation of sdLDL which is associated with insulin resistance and postprandial hyperlipidemia. HDL plays an important role in the reverse cholesterol transport as well as having antiinflammatory and antioxidative effects. Dysfunction of HDL is an independent pro-atherogenic factor. In addition, decreased HDL-cholesterol is a feature of the metabolic dyslipidemia.