title: Endothelial protection by high-density lipoproteins: from bench to bedside.
abstract: There are several potential mechanisms by which HDLs protect against the development of vascular disease. One relates to the unique ability of these lipoproteins to remove cholesterol from the arterial wall. Another is the ability of HDL to prevent and eventually correct endothelial dysfunction, a key variable in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its complications. HDLs help maintain endothelial integrity, facilitate vascular relaxation, inhibit blood cell adhesion to vascular endothelium, reduce platelet aggregability and coagulation, and may favor fibrinolysis. These functions of HDLs complement their activity in arterial cholesterol removal by providing an excellent rationale for favorably influencing pathological processes underlying a variety of clinical conditions, such as accelerated atherosclerosis, acute coronary syndromes, and restenosis after coronary angioplasty, through a chronic or acute elevation of plasma HDL concentration.
authors.affiliation: Center E. Grossi Paoletti, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Calabresi
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gomaraschi
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Franceschini
mesh_terms: D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D016232:Endothelins / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D011464:Epoprostenol