Lipids, Lipoproteins, Apolipoproteins, and Atherosclerosis

Excerpt

The sequence in the title conveys the evolution of our sophistication and understanding of lipids and coronary heart disease. In the beginning, the best that could be done was to measure the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. The relation between plasma cholesterol concentration and the risk of ischemic heart disease was established using this simple approach. Fractionation of the serum cholesterol into its components has further clarified that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is responsible for atherogenesis. Approximately 70% of the total serum cholesterol is transported by LDL, and increases in the plasma cholesterol concentration usually represent an increase in this