title: HDL as a prognostic biomarker for coronary atherosclerosis: the role of inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emerging evidence suggests that the role of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the atherosclerotic process is not as clear as previously thought, since atheroprotective HDL becomes atherogenic in states of increased inflammatory processes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review we aim to elucidate the role of HDL as a prognostic biomarker and we discuss therapeutic approaches that aim to increase HDL and their possible clinical benefit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the structural variability and biological complexity of the HDL particle, its role in the atherosclerotic process is far from clear. According to current evidence, the atheroprotective role of HDL turns atherogenic in states of increased inflammatory processes, while even minor alterations in systemic inflammation are likely to hinder the endothelial protective effects of HDL. In accordance, significant data have revealed that HDL-related drugs may be effective in reducing cardiovascular mortality; however they are not as encouraging or unanimous as expected. Possible future goals could be to quantify either HDL subclasses or functions in an attempt to reach safer conclusions as to the prognostic importance of HDL in coronary atherosclerosis. Having achieved that, a more targeted therapy that would aim to raise either HDL functionality or to remodel HDL structure would be more easily designed.
authors: a Barts Heart Centre , St Bartholomew's Hospital , London , UK.
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Papageorgiou
authors: b 1st Department of Cardiology , Hippokration Hospital, University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors: Effimia
authors: E
authors: Zacharia
authors: c John Radcliffe Hospital , University of Oxford , Oxford , UK.
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Androulakis
authors: d Division of Cardiology , Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center , Detroit , MI , USA.
authors: Alexandros
authors: A
authors: Briasoulis
authors: e Vascular Physiology Unit, Institute of Cardiovascular Science , University College London , London , UK.
authors: Marietta
authors: M
authors: Charakida
authors: b 1st Department of Cardiology , Hippokration Hospital, University of Athens , Athens , Greece.
authors: Dimitris
authors: D
authors: Tousoulis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D015195:Drug Design; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL
keywords: High density lipoprotein; atherosclerosis; inflammation; treatment