The Limone Sul Garda Gene

Abstract

High density lipoproteins (HDL) are a heterogeneous group of lipoproteins noted for their negative correlation with the incidence of atherosclerosis (Barr et al., 1951; Gofman et al., 1966; Miller & Miller, 1975; Gordon et al., 1977). The mechanism by which they confer protection against atherosclerosis is unclear. In vitro experiments involving isolated erythrocytes and cultured cells suggest that HDL may be involved in the delivery of cholesterol from the peripheral tissues to the liver for disposal (Glomset & Norum, 1973; Stein & Stein, 1973; Stein et al., 1976; Bates & Rothblat, 1974). Metabolic studies in man have suggested an inverse correlation between the size of the total body cholesterol pool and plasma HDL level (Miller et al., 1976). It is also possible that HDL may simply be a marker for a certain pattern of lipid transport and metabolism that confers protection against the development of atherosclerosis.