Additive role of qualitative characteristics of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) to its plasma quantification by cholesterol levels

• Grant number: 12/01645-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Andrei Carvalho Sposito
• Grantee: Natália Baratella Panzoldo
• Home 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 (CVD) 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) and CVD 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 (RCT), and its antioxidative, 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 of HDL's functionality in physiological and pathological states (i.e.hypoalphalipoproteinemia and hyperalphalipoproteinemia), through the measurement of four of its known atheroprotective properties: cholesterol efflux capacity, and anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, are very promising, and may provide an individual anti or pro-atherogenic profile, with great potential for pharmacological targets. (AU)