Current Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 21, Issue 25, 2014

In the last few years there has been a large discussion on the properties of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The main part of this debate concerns the role of HDL-C in predicting cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality, and in consequence, in reducing the residual risk [1]. It is connected to the fact that all large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which were dedicated to investigate this role of HDL-C gave negat Read More

Plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL) comprise a highly heterogeneous family of lipoprotein particles, with subclasses that can be separated and identified according to density, size, surface charge as well as shape and protein composition. There is evidence that these subclasses may differ in their functional properties. The individual plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) level is generally taken as a snapshot of the steady-state conc Read More

Epidemiological studies have shown that low plasma levels of High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) are associated with an increased risk for myocardial infarction. These studies suggested that by increasing HDL-C levels one could reduce cardiovascular risk. However, emerging evidence from studies in animals and humans indicate that high levels of HDL-C are not sufficient to confer atheroprotection but that the function Read More

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are classified as atheroprotective because they are involved in transport of cholesterol to the liver, known as “reverse cholesterol transport (RCT)” exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. There is also evidence for cytoprotective, vasodilatory, antithrombotic, and anti-infectious activities for these lipoproteins. HDLs are known by structural, metabolic and biologic heterogeneity. Read More

The electrophoretic separation of lipoproteins on polyacrylamide gels enables the quantification of nonatherogenic and atherogenic plasma lipoproteins including small dense low density lipoprotein (sdLDL) particles, which represent the atherogenic lipoprotein subpopulations in plasma. This methodology could help distinguish between nonatherogenic hyperlipidemia, normolipidemia with an atherogenic lipoprotein profile Read More

High density lipoprotein (HDL) has two important roles: a) it modulates inflammation, and, b) it promotes reverse cholesterol transport. HDLcholesterol levels are inversely correlated with the risk of cardiovascular events. The main component of HDL, apolipoprotein AI (apo AI), is largely responsible for reverse cholesterol transport through the macrophage ATPbinding cassette transporter ABCA1. Apo AI can be da Read More

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging health hazard, connected to very high cardiovascular mortality due to accelerated atherosclerosis. Increased cardiovascular risk cannot be explained only by traditional risk factors. Patients with renal dysfunction have significant disturbances in lipoprotein metabolism and HDL in these patients becomes dysfunctional. It has been documented that in patients with CKD lower plasm Read More

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) have been associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. These beneficial effects of HDL can be, at least partly, attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antioxidant and endothelial-protective properties. However, the results of some clinical trials aiming at raising HDL-C levels are conflicting in terms of CV protection suggesting that alterations in HDL q Read More

Many pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies have been used to increase high-density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, but the results obtained have not been consistently associated with effective cardiovascular risk reduction. Therefore, research is now focused to improve HDL functionality, independent of HDL-C levels. The quality of HDL particles can vary considerably due to its heterogeneity caused by va Read More

For more than 20 years there has been increasing interest in the development of novel therapies to raise levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). However, well publicized failures of recent clinical trials of agents that raise HDL-C levels have stimulated considerable controversy with regard to the potential clinical utility of this therapeutic target. A number of classes of agents are currently under inves Read More

Snakebites are a frequently neglected public health issue in tropical and subtropical countries. According to the World Health Organization, 5 million people are bitten annually including up to 2.5 million envenomations. Treatment with antivenom serum remains the only specific therapy for snakebite envenomation. However, it is heterologous and therefore liable to cause adverse reactions, such as early anaphylactic, pyrog Read More

Statins are currently used as an effective cholesterol-lowering medication through inhibition of the mevalonate pathway, but recent studies show their potential for bone repair. The bone anabolic effects of statins have been largely attributed to their ability to enhance BMP-2 expression in osteoblast cells. In vitro studies have demonstrated that statins can increase the expression of osteogenic and angiogenic markers such Read More

Endothelial dysfunction involving dysfunctional mitochondria precedes the development of cardiovascular diseases. This impairment results from an increase in reactive oxygen species, which leads to oxidative stress and a reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide. It has been demonstrated that oxidative stress and alterations in glucose and lipid homeostasis (e.g. hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and dyslipidem Read More