Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Early studies focused on the relationship between diet, plasma total cholesterol and risk of coronary atherosclerosis. Several lines of evidence supported the causative role of elevated plasma cholesterol in atherogenesis. More recent studies have turned to studying the lipoproteins that transport cholesterol around the body, their interrelationships with diet and how they lead to atherosclerosis. Elevated levels of certain lipoproteins and apoproteins increase the risk of coronary atherosclerosis, in particular high levels of VLDL, IDL, LDL, apoB and Lp(a). On the other hand, low levels of HDL (particularly HDL₂) and apoal are associated with increased risk. Elevated plasma cholesterol concentrations generally reflect increased concentrations of LDL, VLDL or IDL. Elevated plasma triacylglycerol concentrations may reflect increased VLDL or IDL or chylomicron remnants.