Lipoproteins in Atherosclerosis Process

Dyslipidaemias is a recognized risk factor for atherosclerosis, however, new evidence brought to light by trials investigating therapies to enhance HDLcholesterol have suggested an increased atherosclerotic risk when HDL-C is high.Several studies highlight the central role in atherosclerotic disease of dysfunctional lipoproteins; oxidised LDL-cholesterol is an important feature, according to "oxidation hypothesis", of atherosclerotic lesion, however, there is today a growing interest for dysfunctional HDL-cholesterol. The target of our paper is to review the functions of modified and dysfunctional lipoproteins in atherogenesis.Taking into account the central role recognized to dysfunctional lipoproteins, measurements of functional features of lipoproteins, instead of conventional routine serum evaluation of lipoproteins, could offer a valid contribution in experimental studies as in clinical practice to stratify atherosclerotic risk.