Atheroprotective functions of high density lipoprotein (HDL), besides its cholesterol levels, in normolipidemic subjects and in situations of increased and decreased HDL: study in a Brazilian population sample

• Grant number: 10/13844-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2011
• End date: March 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Eliana Cotta de Faria
• Grantee: Natália Baratella Panzoldo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 06/60585-9 - Relation of the plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration with blood monocyte and whole body cholesterol metabolism parameters, AP.TEM

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (DCV) is the most common cause of death in western societies, affecting both men and women. The relation between serum levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) e CD is well established in the literature: low HDL-cholesterol level is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. The anti-atherogenic properties of HDL are due to numerous mechanisms, among which we can highlight its role in reverse cholesterol transport (TRC), and its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, among others. Such properties are associated with different components of HDL, such as its apolipoproteins, associated enzymes and specific phospholips. Recent studies suggest that the relation between HDL and cardiovascular risk is more complex: the plasma concentration of HDL is not the only determinant of its atheroprotective capacity, and its functionality is independent of its concentration. Thus, investigation and characterization HDL's functionality in physiological and pathological states (i.e.hypoalphalipoproteinemia and hyperalphalipoproteinemia), through the measurement of three of its known atheroprotective properties: anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic, are very promising, and may provide an individual anti or pro-atherogenic profile, with great potential for pharmacological targets. (AU)