title: Apolipoprotein C-III: a potent modulator of hypertriglyceridemia and cardiovascular disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article is to summarize the recent epidemiological, basic science, and pharmaceutical research linking apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) with the development and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  ApoC-III is an important emerging target linking hypertriglyceridemia with CVD. ApoC-III is a potent modulator of many established CVD risk factors, and is found on chylomicrons, very-low density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein particles. Recent studies show that in humans, apoC-III levels are an independent risk factor for CVD, and its presence on lipoproteins may promote their atherogenicity. This year, two large-scale epidemiological studies have linked mutations in apoC-III with increased incidence of CVD and hypertriglyceridemia. ApoC-III raises plasma triglycerides through inhibition of lipoprotein lipase, stimulation of very-low density lipoprotein secretion, and is a novel factor in modulating intestinal triglyceride trafficking. ApoC-III also stimulates inflammatory processes in the vasculature and the pancreas. The combination of raising plasma triglycerides and independently stimulating inflammatory processes makes apoC-III a valuable target for reducing the residual CVD risk in patients already on statin therapy, or for whom triglycerides are poorly controlled. Clinical trials on apoC-III antisense oligonucleotides are in progress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ApoC-III is a potent direct modulator of established CVD risk factors: plasma triglycerides and inflammation. Recent findings show that changes in apoC-III levels are directly associated with changes in cardiovascular risk and the atherogenicity of the lipoproteins on which apoC-III resides. Emerging roles of apoC-III include a role in directing the atherogenicity of high-density lipoprotein, intestinal dietary triglyceride trafficking, and modulating pancreatic β-cell survival. The combination of these roles makes apoC-III an important therapeutic target for the management and prevention of CVD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Alison B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Kohan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053305:Apolipoprotein C-III / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D053305:Apolipoprotein C-III; D015415:Biomarkers; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D014280:Triglycerides